Both Hope College swimming/diving teams have been presented the 2009-10 Academic Award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.
To be eligible, a team must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale. The women's team compiled a 3.51 cumulative GPA while the men's team had a 3.32 cumulative GPA.
In addition, four swimmers were named Scholar All-Americans for finishing with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. A swimmer needed to have qualified for the 2010 NCAA Division III championships.
Swimmers honored included Philip Heyboer of Zeeland (Holland Christian HS), Ryan Nelis of Holland (West Ottawa HS), Mitch Ruch of Zeeland (Zeeland West HS), and Libby Westrate of Grandville (Grandville HS).
Heyboer, Nelis and Ruch were all seniors while Westrate was a freshman. Heyboer and Nelis are each being honored as a Scholar All-American for a second time.
The Hope swimming/diving teams are coached by John Patnott.