Artur Schneider to set the pace for the Franklin College men’s swimming and diving team — in the pool and the classroom.
A two-time NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving National Championships qualifier, Schneider has been named a Scholar All-American by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America.
A junior from Zurich, Switzerland, he was named after posting a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the 2015-16 school year.
The occasion marks the second time Schneider has earned the academic honor.
In March, Schneider competed in three events at the Division III nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina: the 100-meter breaststroke, the 200 backstroke and the 200 individual medley. He placed 17th in the breaststroke, 29th in the backstroke and was 36th in the 200 individual medley.
On the team front, Franklin College’s women’s swimming and diving team received collective Scholar All- American honors.
Franklin maintained a team GPA of 3.32 for the 2016 spring semester. The Grizzlies received the same scholastic honor for the 2015 fall term.
Another Woman of the Year
For the second straight year, a Franklin College athlete is a nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.Melissa Sanders, the most accomplished player in the history of the women’s tennis team, is one of 517 student-athletes, at all NCAA levels, up for the honor.
A 2016 graduate, Sanders was the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player for the 2015 season. She was 13-1 at No. 1 singles and 15-2 at No. 1 doubles with her partner, freshman Karen Dringenburg.
Because of injuries on the men’s team in spring, Sanders played in select singles and doubles matches with Dringenburg on the men’s team — and shined.
Sanders was a combined 9-0 in singles and doubles during the men’s season.
A two-time conference MVP and four-time first team All-HCAC selection, Sanders finished her career with school-records of 61 singles victories and 128 total victories.
Per the NCAA Woman of the Year nomination, Sanders is one of 169 from Division III programs. The award is for excellence in athletics, academics, service and leadership.
Anna Murdock, a 2015 Franklin graduate, was a nominee last year and advanced top 30 in the semifinal round. She was a four-year standout in cross-country and track and field and was a Division III national champion in the 800-meter outdoor run.
