Feb. 18, 2011

Contact: Dan Carr

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - The 2010-11 Cleveland State women's swimming and diving team, already the best dual meet team in program history, an now add another accomplishment to its growing list of achievements: one of the best academic teams in the country. According to the latest report from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, out of all the NCAA Division I schools in the nation, the Vikings had the 12th highest grade point average last Fall.

"To be included among the top academic institutions in college swimming and diving is an incredible achievement," head coach Wally Morton said. "We are now among the elite in Division I."

The Vikings posted a team GPA of 3.46 last semester, tying CSU with Butler for 12th in the country. Gardner-Webb, with a 3.63 GPA, had the highest total, while Northwestern (3.6), Washington-St. Louis (3.57), North Dakota and Clemson (3.55 each) rounded off the top five.

No other Horizon League school made the list, which recorded all Division I programs that posted a team GPA of 3.0 or higher last Fall.

"When I took over the women's team four years ago, our GPA was a 2.8," Morton said. "That we went from that to a 3.46 speaks to the dedication of our women in the classroom, especially knowing they work extremely hard in the pool."

The Viking women's swimming and diving won 15 dual meets this season, the most in school history for either the men or women.

Cleveland State is currently preparing to host the Horizon League Swimming and Diving Championships from Feb. 23-26 at The Busbey Natatorium.