Swimmers Justin Anderson And Nina Michelle Sawyer Named University of Mary Washington's Scholar-Athletes Of The Year
University of Mary Washington senior swimmers Justin
Anderson and Nina Michelle Sawyer were
named as the 20th annual University of Mary Washington Male and
Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year, announced on Wednesday at the
UMW Athletics Banquet.
Anderson, an English major from Oak Hill, Va., holds a 3.66
overall grade-point average. In his swimming career, he won
all-conference honors 22 times, including on two relays that
qualified provisionally for the NCAA Championships this winter. The
Capital Athletic Conference champion in the 200 yard individual
medley, he holds the fastest 100 yard freestyle cut in school
history.
Academically, Anderson has won the prestigious Mary Siegrist Hinz
scholarship three straight semesters and is a reigning NCAA
Academic All-American. He is president of the Alpha Phi Sigma honor
society at UMW, and has been on the Dean's List every semester but
two in his academic career at UMW.
Said UMW Swimming Coach Matt Sellman, "Justin
embodies what a student athlete should be at UMW (and anywhere, for
that matter). He holds himself and his teammates to the highest
standard, and does not fail to succeed. He has the characteristics
of a leader and uses them well; he acts with the best of intentions
and helps others do the same. He is an incredible worker and sets a
standard that others should and do strive to meet."
Sawyer, a psychology major from Warrenton, Va., has posted a 3.30
GPA. In the pool, Sawyer has won eight All-America awards in her
career, including five this winter. She has gained all-conference
accolades in 27 events in her career, including seven this year.
She swam in five relays and three individual events at the NCAA
Division III Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In the classroom, Sawyer gained Academic All-America honors twice,
becoming only the third UMW swimmer to accomplish that feat. She
has studied abroad in Australia and remained in top condition for
swimming, and has also volunteered time at local businesses,
schools, and homes to work with Autistic children.
Added Sellman, "Nina is the most special student athlete I have
ever had the opportunity to coach. She is the most caring,
thoughtful, and passionate teammate I have seen. She deserves this
honor and recognition for being the perfect example of what a
student athlete is."