Eight members of the 2009 Colorado College water polo team, including one who earned distinction in the highest merit category, have been named recipients of the sport's All-American Academic Award for their performance in the classroom.

Team-wise, CC's collective grade-point average of 3.31 ranked fourth best among 29 programs cited nationwide with GPAs of 2.76 or better. Chapman University topped the chart at 3.42.

The lists, which recognize student athletes and schools from Divisions I, II and III, were announced this week by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.

Leading the Colorado College contingent of eight was freshman Cassie Benson, honored in the “Outstanding” classification for individuals with GPAs between 3.71 and 4.00.

Other Tigers receiving accolades at the “Superior” level (3.41 to 3.70) were seniors Jamie Grasse and Liz Weber, along with freshman Jamie Drillette. Four more – senior Lindsay Morrison, junior Angela Dang, sophomore Akie Mochizuki and freshman Emily Fukunaga – received an “Excellent” rating (3.20 to 3.40).

Water polo is one of three varsity programs at CC that were discontinued earlier this year.

National Leaders in Team GPA (2008-09)
Chapman University 3.42
Washington & Jefferson College 3.36
Brown University 3.35
Colorado College 3.31
Macalester 3.28
Redlands 3.21
Hartwick University 3.20
Mercyhurst 3.20
California State University East Bay 3.15
California State University Monterey Bay 3.15
Marist College 3.12
Occidental College 3.11
UC Davis 3.11
Princeton University 3.08
Utica College 3.08
California 3.07
California State University Bakersfield 3.06
University of Southern California 3.05
Siena College 3.04
Bucknell 3.00
California Lutheran University 3.00
Loyola Marymount University 3.00
California State University Northridge 2.97
San Diego State 2.90
Grove City College 2.84
University of California Los Angeles 2.82
University of Michigan 2.78
University of the Pacific 2.77
University of California Irvine 2.76