Eastern Michigan Athletics
Two Swimmers Tabbed as Academic All-Americans
7/14/2006 11:55:39 AM | Swimming & Diving
Senior Katie Benedict and sophomore Madeleine Pilchard honored
YPSILANTI, Mich.
— Senior Katie Benedict and sophomore Madeleine Pilchard were named to the 2006 College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American Honorable Mention team, the organization announced July 10.To earn Academic All-American status, student athletes must earn a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and qualify for the NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA championships. Student-athletes with a 3.5 GPA who earn NCAA ‘B’ times are eligible for Academic All-American Honorable Mention status.
Benedict was a leg on the Mid-American Conference Championship clinching 400-yard freestyle relay team and was a member of the 200 and 800-yard freestyle relay teams which each took second. She was a two-time Academic All-MAC selection. Benedict transferred to EMU from the University of Illinois, where she was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2004. She carries a 3.90 GPA in EMU’s prestigious College of Education, where she is majoring in Language and Literature.
Pilchard, who carries a 3.94 GPA as an Elementary Education major, was named 2006 MAC Swimmer of the Year. She won four MAC championships, placing first in the 100, 200, and 500-yard freestyle events, while swimming anchor on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay team. She was named first-team All-MAC as well as Academic All-MAC. Pilchard was selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team.
The women’s swimming and diving squad won its first MAC Championship in the program’s 30 years. The Eagles defeated four-time defending MAC-champion Miami by 11 points. The Eagles were champions in the classroom as well, leading all NCAA Division 1 schools in overall GPA, with a 3.56 mark during its championship run.
