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Erica Hagen Samir Almhiemid

Almhiemid, Hagen Named Academic All-League

Western’s seniors earned bronze medals at The Summit League Championships and continued to pad their resumes with academic recognitions.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Western Illinois' Samir Almhiemid and Erica Hagen recently garnered Summit All-League recognition for their performances at the swimming and diving championships, and the seniors received additional postseason kudos Monday (March 18) after the announcement of the Academic All-League Teams. 

For 17 of the 21 honorees, it marked their first time earning the academic award; Hagen received her third straight and is the lone three-time honoree on this year's team.

"Both Sam and Erica have been outstanding students throughout their four years at WIU," said head coach Greg Naumann.  "I'm positive their abilities to perform in the classroom and the pool at such a high level is due to the high standards they set for themselves, and by having a goal set for everything that they do. Both Sam and Erica have had their eyes set on what they want to do after college, and each class is like another set in practice to help prepare them to be their best." 

Almhiemid was a member of Western's 200-yard medley relay team that worked a third-place time of 1:30.47 at The Summit League Championships. The effort ranked third best in school history, and he added additional all-time marks when he moved to second in the history books in the 100-butterfly (49.66) and 200-freestyle relay (1:22.78), and third in the 100-yard backstroke (50.55).

Hagen was also no stranger to success at the league meet, as she won a bronze medal in the 100-IM by racing in at 58.31. She helped create a school record as a member of the 200-yard medley relay (1:45.91) before jumping to fifth all-time in the 100-yard butterfly (57.67). 

Almhiemid will receive his bachelor's degree in health services management with a minor in economics/business while Hagen wraps her undergraduate studies with a degree in accounting with minor in finance. 

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team's competitions.

Nominations are made by athletic communications directors from the league's seven institutions that compete in swimming and diving, and voting is conducted by both the athletic communications directors and facility athletic representatives (FARs). Each team is made up of the 10 student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.


 
 
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