Women's swimming team ranks ninth in team GPA standings
Maureen Johnson
Daily Egyptian
The Water Dawgs have been known to be a powerhouse in the pool, but now they're recognized as a force in the classroom as well.
For the Spring 2002 semester, the SIU women's swim team's GPA of 3.41out of 4.0 was ranked ninth in the 2002 College Swim Coach Association of America Academic All-American standings for Division I swimming programs.
Jeff Goelz, head coach of women's swimming, is proud of his team's ninth place ranking. Prior to this point, the highest ranking the women's team had achieved was 17th.
"It proves that we're really here to get an education," Goelz said. "When you're ranking in the top 10 in the country among Division I programs, it says a lot. It tells me the girls are doing a great job academically."
Goelz said many factors contributed to the academic success of his team. One such factor is the recruiting process, which ensures the team consists of swimmers who are both athletically and academically motivated.
"We look for kids who are strong academically, and hopefully we have their major," Goelz said. "The girls love what they're doing, and when they get good grades, it shows."
Rachel Green, a freshman in athletic training, earned a 3.4 GPA during the Spring 2002 semester. The butterflier and sprinter from Energy said the ninth place ranking would help bring talented swimmers to the team.
"It definitely helps with the recruiting," Green said. "It says a lot about us and about Jeff."
Kristina Therriault, coordinator of student services for Intercollegiate Athletics, works with all athletes, and she has a staff with different responsibilities for the different sports.
"I'm responsible for organizing all the academic services that the athletes receive," Therriault said. "That involves hiring tutors, monitoring their academic progress, keeping in touch with their instructors, and if there are any concerns, we work with their instructors."
Therriault said student services also coordinated a study table that students are required to attend based on their GPA. To ensure significant progress toward their degrees, students are also provided with academic advising services in addition to their academic advisors on campus. Mentoring is provided, and individual meetings are conducted about time management and organizational skills.
Therriault said student services focuses on time management and organizational skills because time constraints is one of the biggest challenges student-athletes face in maintaining a high GPA.
"The swimmers have got such a jammed schedule," Therriault said. "To be able to balance everything and still have success in both areas, I think they should be commended for doing that."
Green said having to balance swimming with school teaches her to manage her time efficiently. She has scheduled swimming into her life since she was in elementary school.
"I think swimming makes us balance our time," Green said. "We're made to have discipline."
Goelz said he assumes the role of a parent figure for his team and reinforces the importance of earning good grades. He frequently asks each swimmer about their grades and makes sure their GPAs are not in jeopardy. Goelz also helps team members with obtaining assistance when necessary.
"If we've got a problem where a kid needs to get out of practice to go to class, we don't always like doing it, but we realize that in the big picture, they're here for the academics," Goelz said. "It shows some maturity on the kids' part to be able to put things in perspective."
Amber Mullins, a freestyler and backstroker from San Antonio, Texas, was also pleased with the team's ranking. Mullins, a junior during the spring semester majoring in elementary education, has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and stays motivated to excel both academically and athletically by remembering the reasons she came to SIU.
"I keep in mind that I'm here for school, and swimming is keeping me in school," Mullins said. "It's a lot of work, but you get through it."
Reporter Maureen Johnson can be reached at mjohnson@dailyegyptian.com
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