Northcutt, Duke named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Teams
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman swimming alumni Mary Northcutt (Huntsville, Ala.) and Paden Duke (Memphis, Tenn.) have both been selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District At-Large teams, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman swimming alumni Mary Northcutt (Huntsville, Ala.) and Paden Duke (Memphis, Tenn.) have both been selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District At-Large teams, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.
Northcutt concluded her senior year with a flawless 4.0 GPA as an exercise science major. She will further her education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she plans to pursue her doctorate in physical therapy.
"Mary has had tremendous success in the pool, being an All-American every year," head coach Jordan Taylor said. "She put the work in and balanced her time between swimming, socializing and class schedules. The work speaks for itself."
Northcutt finished her career at C-N with a 4.0 GPA in all eight semesters of her undergraduate career.
"She has been just as successful in academics as she has been in the pool," Taylor said. "Just having a teammate like Mary makes it easy for others to aspire to that same success. You see someone swim fast on your team, you see they have the same pool, workouts and classes that you have, and it motivates you to do the same thing."
Duke finished his final year at Mossy Creek with a perfect 4.0 GPA as well, receiving his degree with majors in both biology and chemistry. Paden will attend medical school this fall.
"It just shows what is possible when you're committed and have the right work ethic, time management skills and balance in your life," Taylor said. "His excellence motivates others on the team to apply themselves the same way."
Like Northcutt, Duke finished with a perfect GPA across all eight semesters of his college career.
It is the third consecutive year that both athletes have received the honors.
The teams are divided into geographic districts across the United States and Canada. The two Eagles were a part of District 3, which includes the South Atlantic Conference, Conference Carolinas and the Peach Belt Conference.
CoSIDA names the teams to recognize the nation's top student athletes for their combined performances in athletic competition and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Honorees selected first-team Academic All-District will advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot. Academic All-America honorees will be announced from June 16-19.
Northcutt and Duke have made it to the All-America ballot two years running.
"My three main focuses as a coach are pushing yourself in the pool, pushing yourself academically and ultimately being the best person in the community you can be," Taylor said. "Mary and Paden have exemplified that for the past four years."
