Swimmers make the grade

FAYETTEVILLE — NCAA participant Peggy Stoner paced the University of Arkansas swimming and diving team contingent earning College Swimming Coaches Association of America Academic All-American honors.

"This is a tough academic team to make," said head coach Anne Goodman James. "You have to have a 3.5 GPA or better and qualify for the NCAA Championships. We’re excited to have four Lady’Backs who earned selection to the team."

Stoner, a Green River, Wyo., native, tallied a 3.76 grade point average and competed in the 50-meter freestyle at the NCAA Championship in mid-March.

Stoner holds four of Arkansas’ top five times including a school record 22.73 set this year.

Three other Lady Razorbacks earned honorable mention honors. Babsi Auer, Drue Orwig and Leslie Johns also had solid grades and made the NCAA qualifying “B” standard this year.

Auer has emerged as one of Arkansas’ top 200 back performers and holds four of the top five times in school history. She had a 3.93 GPA this year and holds the school record with a 1:59.43 set in 2003.

Orwig, with a 3.85 GPA, is a 100 back and relay specialist. She is a member of the school-record-holding 400-yard medley relay team with a time of 3:47.46 set in 2002

Johns, who posted a 3.52 GPA, is a short distance and relay participant for the Lady Razorbacks. She holds the Arkansas record for 100-yard free with a time of 50.02 set in 2003.