Press release by IUP Women’s Swimming
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – IUP sophomores Paige Mikesell and Rachel Johnson were named All-Americans by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Wednesday.
Mikesell earned All-America honors in three events, including the 100 and 200 yard butterfly and 200 yard freestyle. Johnson earned the nod in the 100 yard breaststroke.
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships, the CSCAA Board adjusted the selection criteria for all collegiate Divisions.
The result was an unprecedented number of selections in what is largely acknowledged as unprecedented circumstances. Greg Earhart, Executive Director explained that the Board of Directors sought to not penalize any student-athlete who had not had the opportunity to compete for a spot on the All-American team. “Our sport is replete with previously-unheralded swimmers and divers who have gone on not just to All-America honors, but also to national championships and Olympic Team spots.”
Mikesell entered the championships with the second fastest 200 fly time in Division II at 1:59.22. She was just :00.05 shy of national leader Courtney Sherwood of Tampa as Mikesell looked for the individual crown in the event.
She also had the sixth fastest 100 fly time in the country at 54.09 and the fifth fastest 200 free time at 1:49.32.
This is the second straight year that Mikesell has earned All-American honors, but her first as an individual. She and Johnson were part of the 13th place honorable mention All-American 400 medley relay squad as freshmen in 2019.
