CHICAGO – UIC's head swimming & diving coach, Ashley Dell and the men's and women's team were honored for their achievements in the classroom as the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) selected the Flames to their Scholar All-America Team for the Fall 2022 semester. 38 student-athletes representing UIC were chosen based on their team grade point average.

The 23 athletes on the women's team averaged a 3.37 GPA while the 15 athletes on the men's program recorded a 3.28 GPA in the fall semester.

UIC's men's and women's teams are two of the roughly 800 teams to earn the award. Both squads have been named to the team for the last ten years. 

"I'm so proud of this team's hard work and success in the classroom," said Head Coach Ashley Dell. "The fact that both teams can maintain such a high GPA average while also training 20 hours a week is a tremendous accomplishment."

The recognition comes in the midst of the women's team competing in their first Missouri Valley Conference Championship. The program began action on Wednesday, Feb. 15, and will continue through Saturday. Through the first day of compeition the Flames' 800 free relay team, consisting of Kalie Landrum, Madison Helmick, Victoria Thor, and Lizzie Zeller, finished fifth (7:24.65). The 200 medley relay of Bella Drake, Taira Juronis, Izabella Del Rosario, and Poleena Kovalaske, touching in at 1:42.01. Day two's events will consist of the 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 1 meter diving, and the 200 free relay.

Fans can cheer the Flames at the 2023 MVC Swimming & Diving Championship here.