FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (July 1, 2026) - The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has recognized the Northern Arizona swimming and diving team as a Scholar All-America Team for the Spring 2026 semester.
To earn the honor, teams must post a grade point average of 3.0 or higher during the semester. This spring, 714 teams from 418 institutions were recognized for their academic excellence, representing a combined 16,680 student-athletes across all collegiate divisions.
Northern Arizona finished the semester with a 3.61 team GPA.
"We are extremely proud of the outstanding performance of our team in the classroom," head swimming coach Andy Johns said. "With 11 of our student-athletes achieving a 4.0 GPA for the spring semester, they continue to be champions in and out of the pool."
Among Mountain Pacific Sports Federation programs, the Lumberjacks recorded the conference's second-highest team GPA, trailing only UTRGV (3.68). At the Division I level, Stanford led all women's programs with a 3.91 GPA.
"This recognition celebrates the remarkable commitment these student-athletes make to excellence both in the classroom and in competition," CSCAA Executive Director Samantha Barany said. "The 714 teams honored this spring represent the very best of collegiate swimming and diving, demonstrating that academic success and athletic achievement go hand in hand. We congratulate every student-athlete, coach and institution recognized."
Founded in 1922, the CSCAA is the nation's first organization of college swimming and diving coaches. Its mission is to advance the sport through leadership, advocacy and professional development.
The team's academic success extended beyond the classroom honors, as recent graduates Cydnie Perkins and Elsa Musselman were named recipients of NAU's prestigious Gold Axe Award.
Established in 1933, the Gold Axe Award is one of Northern Arizona University's highest student honors, recognizing graduating seniors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service and involvement on campus and in their communities. Approximately 1% of graduating seniors receive the award each semester.
Perkins and Musselman were two of 50 members of NAU's Spring 2026 graduating class to earn the distinction. They also became the 63rd and 64th Lumberjack student-athletes to receive the Gold Axe Award since 2004.
The Lumberjacks also made an impact beyond the classroom and the pool, completing more than 250 hours of community service during the 2025-26 academic year. The team volunteered through Welcome Back Jacks, the Arizona Complete Health Swim Buddies program and the Flagstaff Family Food Bank, continuing its commitment to serving the Flagstaff community.
The honors reflect another successful year for the Lumberjacks, highlighting the program's commitment to academic achievement, athletic excellence and community engagement.
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