Women's Water Polo Earns All-Academic Honors
Penn State Behrend's women's water polo team earned honors from the American Water Polo Coaches Association when they released the 2003 women's All-Academic Team. The athletes represent achievement on the three levels: Excellent 3.20-3.40, Superior 3.41-3.70, and Outstanding 3.71-4.0, while Team Honors represent those institutions whose combined team GPA is over 2.75.
Seven Behrend players were named to the WPCA team. Juniors Tara Braden (Fairview/Fairview), Lauren Packer (Fleming/Bald Eagle), and freshmen Faith Campbell (Blairsville/Derry Area), and Danielle Rearick (Polk/Franklin) earned superior status, while sophomores Samantha Cibula (Bradford/Bradford), Erin Troester (Erie/Mercyhurst), and freshmen Jen Bragen (Erie/Harborcreek) were honored with excellence. The Behrend Lions earned team honors posting a 3.21 average. "These women worked hard in the water to qualify for the National Championships, and also they worked diligently in the classroom," said head coach Josh Heynes. "I am very proud of these women's achievements this season both in the water and in the classroom."
For the first time ever the Penn State Behrend's women's water polo team traveled to California for the Division III Collegiate National Women's Water Polo Championships on May 2-4. The blue and white were 1-4, but made a positive impression. The program improved for the third consecutive season posting a 8-23 record against outstanding competition and expects to utilize this season's success to improve even more in 2004.