June 12, 2009 – Three Truman female student-athletes were named Academic All-America by ESPN the Magazine and the College Sports Information Directors of America. Junior Swimmer Kate Aherne was a first-team selection while sophomore teammate Tanya Slyvester and senior tennis player Lindsy Blair were third team picks. The selections give Truman 88 Academic All-Americans since 1973 and 45 since 2000.
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. Aherne is a Business Administration major.
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. Blair recently graduated with a degree in Mathematics and is pursuing her masters in Education.
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. Sylvester is a Biology/Pre-Med major.
To be eligible for the Academic All-America team, 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 have been selected to the first-team all-district team.
The college division team is comprised of eligible NCAA Division II, III, NAIA and junior college student-athletes.