HONOLULU — Five members of the University of Hawai'i swim and dive teams were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team for their achievements in the classroom and in the pool.
Four members of the women's swim team and one member of the men's team earned a spot on the NCAA Division I Academic All-District team. The Rainbow Wahine were represented by Catherine Belyakov, Nellie Thompson, Arianna Sakellaris and Holly Nelson, while the Rainbow Warriors were represented by Milan Bukovics.
To qualify for the Academic All-District teams, the student-athlete must be at least a sophomore, maintain a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average, and compete in five competitions or finish top-eight at a conference meet.
Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced April 22 (women) and 23 (men).
Women
*Catherine Belyakov, fifth year
- Majoring in finance
- Placed third as a part of the 800 free relay team at the Big West Championships
- Earned three Big West Athlete of the Week honors (Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Nov. 26)
- Volunteers weekly at the Hawaiian Humane Society
- Received a scholarship from the Shidler School of Business for academic performance last semester
Nellie Thompson, senior
- Majoring in public administration
- Earned nine podium finishes this season
- Participated in multiple environmental restoration community service events
*Arianna Sakellaris, graduate student
- Majoring in clinical research
- Earned Big West Championship as a part of the 400 free relay team
- Also finished third as a member of the 800 free relay team at the Big West Championships.
- Participated in the Women Speaking Out event at the Swing Fore Love Charity Golf Invitational
*Holly Nelson, junior
- Majoring in psychology
- Big West Champion in the 50 free and as a part of the 200 free relay and 400 free relay teams
- Also earned three silver medals—100 free, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay—at the Big West Championships
- Participated in beach cleanups, food and clothing donations, and recently shaved her head to help raise money for people battling leukemia
Men
*Milan Bukovics, senior
- Majoring in electrical and computer engineering
- Placed fourth in the 400 IM at the Big West Championships
- Won eight individual events this season
- Volunteers for Team Robotics of Space Exploration at UH as an avionics lead
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