Dave Linn repeats as Academic All-American

June 15, 2004
St. Thomas swimmer Dave Linn is a repeat honoree on the Co-SIDA College Division At-Large Men's Academic All-America first team.

Linn was among 45 student athletes honored from Division II and III and NAIA institutions. Linn (JR-Wilwaukee, Wis.), a 2003 Academic All-American, had a 4.00 gpa in Biology.

Two other MIAC athetes made the first two teams -- Gustavus seniors Luke Benoit (3.595 Finance) of Faribault and Neil Johnson (3.55 Finance) of River Falls, Wis., from the Gusties NCAA champion men's golf team.

St. Thomas tennis player Tut Fuller (JR-Dubuque, Iowa), who has a 3.94 gpa in Biology, was on the national ballot but didn't make the top 45.

Linn missed one month of training in January while on study abroad. He still placed fifth in conference in the 200 backstroke and sixth in the 100 back stroke. He also swam on five fifth-place relay teams at the conference meet and just missed qualifying for third straight NCAA trip. At the 2003 national meet he was honorable mention All-American in the 200 back (16th place). On his career he's been a four-time conference champ in the 100 and 200-backstroke, and also was 2002 honorable mention All-American in the 200 back (14th place). He's a member of the UST Biology Club and has been a part of the swimming team's extraordinary volunteer efforts including Toys for Tots, Christmas ornament sale, foodshelf drive and the annual American Cancer Society swim-a-thon.

see CoSida story, at-large lists here