May 22, 2009 – Five Truman Student-Athletes were voted to the ESPN the Magazine/College Sports Information Directors At-Large Academic All-District first team. Tennis’ Lindsy Blair, Peter Bracha and swimming’s Kate Aherne, Andrew McCall and Tanya Slyvester will be placed on the Academic All-America ballot.
Blair (Pella, Iowa/Pella) posted a 22-8 singles and a 15-11 doubles record in 2009. She played mostly at the No. 1 spots for a Bulldog team that went 16-5 and finished tied for second in the MIAA regular season. She has been a three-time Academic all-MIAA pick and has been named twice to the MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and MIAA Presidential Scholar lists. Blair was named an honorable mention all-conference at number one singles this past year and was selected to receive the MIAA Sportsmanship award.
Bracha (Ames, Iowa/Ames) was a combined 17-10 singles and doubles in 2009, while playing No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles. Bracha was a two-time selection to both the MIAA Presidential Scholar list and the Academic all-MIAA list and was also selected to the Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll after his sophomore year in 2008. Bracha earned his third straight honorable mention doubles award this past year with partner Steven Hipkiss.
Aherne (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove) was the 2009 200 IM National Champion and qualified for 10 events at nationals, earning all-America honors in the seven events she swam in. For her career, Aherne is a 20-time All-American and a three time National Champion. She was also named to the all-conference New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference swim squad and named to the 2008 academic swim coaches’ association team.
McCall (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway South) qualified for four events at the NCAA Division II Swimming Nationals with his highest finish being sixth in the 200 free relay. He earned three all-America awards, all in relay events and has also been named to the swim coaches’ association academic squad. McCall earned all-conference honors at the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference meet.
Sylvester (Rochester, Minn./Century) earned four all-American awards at 2009 Division II Swimming Nationals. She was part of a second place relay squad and was fifth in the 100 fly. Sylvester qualified for eight events at nationals. She was named New South Intercollegiate Swim all-Conference team and has also been named to the swimming coaches’ association academic squad.
To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at their institution and be nominated by their sports information office.