May 24, 2007

Contact: Josh Rattray

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Senior swimmer Bjorn Schantz, a three-time All-Horizon League selection during his CSU career, has been named a first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection in the men's at-large category in a voting of the membership of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The all-district first team consisted of 11 NCAA Division I student-athletes from Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan, Alabama and Kentucky. The men's at-large category consists of the sports of fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo and wrestling.

Schantz was one of the Horizon League's top swimmers this past season, finishing second at the league championships in February in the 200 and 500 free and swimming the lead leg on the second place 800 free relay team. His efforts helped CSU to a second place team finish at the league championships. During the regular season, Schantz won 12 individual events and recorded the Horizon League's top 200 free time (1:39.75).

In the classroom, the Loddekopinge, Sweden native owns a 3.89 grade point average with a major in International Business and Marketing. His 3.89 GPA is the best on the men's swimming team and ranked second among all male student-athletes at Cleveland State.

"Throughout his career at Cleveland State, Bjorn combined excellent performance in the classroom with a work ethic to succeed in athletics," head coach Wally Morton said. "He was a great-student athlete and a true champion. It was a pleasure to have coached him."

Schantz was named the Horizon League Men's Swimming Athlete of the Year as a junior in 2006. He currently holds the league records in the 500 free (4:24.65) and 1,000 free (9:17.93).

Schantz is now eligible for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors, which will be determined in early June.