Megan Polaha and Liam Semple Named CSCAA Scholar Athletes

Bronx, N.Y. - The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has selected a record 997 swimmers and divers for its Scholar All-America team, including Fordham's Megan Polaha and Liam Semple who were both named Honorable Mention. The selections recognize students that have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and have participated in their respective NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. 

The selections were drawn from 273 colleges and universities across all Divisions.  "Between the athletic and academic components required to receive the award, these really are some of the best of the best," CSCAA Executive Director Joel Shinofield explained.  "It really shows that excellence in the classroom and the pool can be achieved at any program – not just pockets here or there."

 
In addition to the 997 first-team selections, 954 students were named as Honorable Mentioned selections.  These students have similarly achieved a GPA of 3.50 and achieved a "B" time standard or competed at a regional or zone qualifying meet.

Polaha, who graduated in May with a degree in Business Administration, won the 200 butterfly at the 2017 Atlantic 10 Championships to earn first team all-conference honors while also placing third in the 400 IM at the A-10 Championships. She scored in four individual events and four relays at the Atlantic 10 Championships and recorded NCAA "B" cut times in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 100 fly and 200 fly.

Polaha, who receives CSCAA Scholar All-America team honors for the second straight year, was named Most Valuable Player of the women's swimming and diving squad the past two years.

 
Semple, a senior-to-be in 2017-2018, won the 1650 freestyle at the 2017 Atlantic 10 Championships to earn first team All-Conference accolades in an NCAA "B" cut time of 15:27.42. He helped set school records in the 400 freestyle relay (6th - 3:00.98) and the 800 freestyle relay (4th - 6:40.14) and also scored individually in the 500 freestyle (5th - 4:28.56) and the 200 freestyle (14th - 1:40.25) at the championships.

 
Founded in 1922, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) – the oldest organization of college coaches in America -is a professional organization of college swimming and diving coaches dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming & diving at the collegiate level.