Friday, May 01, 2009

Three members of the Valparaiso University men’s swimming and diving team have earned Academic All-Horizon League honors for their efforts both in the pool and in the classroom this season.

Blake Edwards (Orange, Calif./Lutheran H.S. of Orange County), Ansel Hillmer (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough H.S.), and Kyle Verage (Hubertus, Wis./Marquette H.S.) each were voted to the team of 15 by the league’s faculty athletics representatives and sports information directors.

Edwards, a junior classics and history major, was a member of Valpo’s school record-setting 200 and 800 freestyle relays at the Horizon League Championships.  He also turned in the third fastest 500 freestyle time in school history this season along with the ninth fastest 100 free mark and the 10th quickest 200 free time.

In the classroom, Edwards has been named to the Horizon League’s Fall and Spring Academic Honors Rolls, is a member of the Dean’s List, is enrolled in Christ College, and studied abroad during the fall semester.

Hillmer, a senior physics and mathematics major, helped Valpo set new school records in both the 200 and 400 medley relays, where he swam the butterfly leg.  He turned in the second fastest 200 fly time ever at Valpo as well as the fifth quickest 100 fly time this season. 

A member of the ESPN The Magazine Second Team Academic All-District V selection a year ago, Hillmer is a two-time member of the Horizon League’s All-Academic Team now.  He has also been named to the league’s Academic Honor Rolls every semester.

Verage, a senior classics major, swam the lead-off backstroke leg on the school’s record-setting 200 medley relay.  This season, he turned in the eighth best 100 backstroke mark ever in school history.

In the classroom, Verage has earned Presidential honors at Valpo and was named to the Horizon League’s Fall and Spring Academic Honor Rolls.

To be eligible for Academic All-Horizon League Team honors, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and completed at least one year at the school earning 24 semester hours.