Grinnell Swim Teams Selected for Spring Scholar All-America Teams
The Grinnell Men and Women’s swim teams were recently selected for the Spring Scholar All-America Teams. Bestowed by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), the title represents 17,497 student-athletes who maintained stellar grade point averages (GPA) while competitively swimming. The 33 members of the Women’s swim team boasted an average GPA of 3.68, while the Men’s team – composed of 31 members – achieved an average GPA of 3.5.
“Our consistency is what is remarkable,” says former head swimming and diving coach Erin Hurley. “If I recall correctly, there was only one semester in the last 28 years where we didn’t have both teams recognized. Academic focus and academic excellence are a common theme among student-athletes at Grinnell.” Hurley, who coached the teams for 28 seasons, retired from the position in 2023. “As a coach, [I had] a unique perspective and insight into the experiences of our student-athletes. We see them every day, through their challenges and successes. I feel very fortunate to have been able to work with so many amazing student-athletes.”
Matthew Hedman, a certified ASCA Level 2 and USA Swimming coach, is gearing up to lead Grinnell’s Scholar All-America Teams for the upcoming season. “I’m thrilled to hear that both our Men’s and Women's Swimming and Diving teams were announced as Scholar All-American teams,” says Hedman. “It is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication throughout the past year to achieve this honor. Grinnell College has had a long history of performing at a high level in the pool as well as in the classroom. I’m looking forward to continuing that tradition for many years to come.”
For most team members, Hurley notes that “balancing schoolwork and training/competitions is something they have had practice with. They also [have] teammates who share the same values for their sport and academics. Working with the team as they progress through their four years of college has been a tremendously rewarding experience for me. I’ve had the good fortune of being able to witness so much personal growth and development.”
About the CSCAA
The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) was founded in 1922 and is an organization of college coaches dedicated to advancing the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level. The CSCAA announced the 2022-23 Spring Scholar All-America Teams on June 26.