The Kalamazoo College men's swimming & diving team had a quartet of individuals selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, as announced on Tuesday (Feb. 28). The student-athletes selected were Erik Danielson, Luke Middlebrook, Ben Pickrel, and Oliver Tye.
To be selected for the award, the student-athlete must be a starter or an important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA, have played at least 50% of their team's competitions, and be at least a sophomore academically and athletically.
Danielson was one of the top swimmers for the Hornets in the freestyle, breaststroke, and individual medley races. His top times in 2022-23 were 23.77 (50 Free), 51.92 (100 Free), 27.49 (50 Breast), 58.91 (100 Breast), 2:11.95 (200 Breast), and 2:02.02 (200 IM). In addition, Danielson double majors in computer science and mathematics and holds a cumulative GPA of 4.00.
A diver for Kalamazoo, Middlebrook was one of the top-two divers on the team with Sam Ankley. His top scores this season were 241.75 in the 1-meter (six dives), 290.03 in the 3-meter (six dives), 408.25 in the 1-meter (11 dives), and 383.00 in the 3-meter (11 dives). He is a biology major with a 3.74 cumulative GPA.
Pickrel was the top swimmer for the Hornets, swimming in freestyle, backstroke, and individual medley races. His best times in 2022-23 were 1:50.16 (200 Free), 5:08.13 (500 Free), 23.81 (50 Back), 50.54 (100 Back), 1:51.34 (200 Back), 2:01.92 (200 IM), and 4:08.20 (400 IM). Pickrel was a one-time MIAA Men's Swimmer of the Week this season. Majoring in business, he has a cumulative GPA of 3.75.
Another good swimmer for Kalamazoo was Tye, who swam in the butterfly and individual medley. The top times this season were 21.60 (50 Free), 47.28 (100 Free), 23.71 (50 Fly), and 51.43 (100 Fly). He majors in mathematics and holds a 3.93 cumulative GPA.
Now that the four student-athletes have made the district team, they will move on to the CSC Academic All-American ballot, which will be announced in March.