LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Swimming & Diving had three representatives named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Teams as announced by the CSC office on Tuesday.
The 2024-25 Academic All-District Swimming & Diving teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in the pool and in the classroom. Nomination requirements include a sophomore or above academic standing, a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA, and, in swimming & diving, student-athletes must compete in five competitions or finish top-eight at a conference meet.
Representing VMI are sophomores
Sam Castle and
Matthew Picard and junior
Valerie Tonnu. All three Keydets put up big numbers in the pool and the classroom as each member had a 3.70 GPA or higher, performed in at least six meets, and placed in the top eight at least once in the conference championships.
Castle, a mechanical engineering major, was VMI's top swimmer in the backstroke, recording the top times in the 100 and 200 backstroke, earning first place six times, and was top three in every race. The Mechanicsville, Virginia, native broke three team records and four relay records at the America East Championships.
Picard, a mechanical engineering major, excelled in the freestyle, earning four first-place marks in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle along with placing in the top three in every race. The Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, native shattered the 100 freestyle team record and four relay records at the America East Championships.
During the America East Championships, Castle nabbed silver in the 100 backstroke right before Picard earned bronze in the 100 freestyle. Both Keydets also played a key role in the 800 freestyle relay squad that placed third. Castle and Picard were named America East All-Academic just weeks before obtaining another academic honor.
Tonnu, a civil engineering major, competed in six meets for the Keydets between the 50 and 1,000 freestyle, including the 400 & 800 freestyle relays. The Centreville, Virginia, native placed in the top five four different times. During the America East Championships, Tonnu raced in the 800 freestyle relay along with the 50, 100, & 200 freestyle.
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