May 22, 2008

DALLAS (CoSIDA/SMU)--Two SMU athletes were named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team. Junior swimmer Jennifer Basel was selected to the first team, while junior golfer Kate Ackerson was selected to the second team.

Basel owns a 3.94 cumulative GPA in mathematics and mechanical engineering and was a 2008 Conference USA All-Academic pick. She has earned a spot on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll each of the last three years. This season, Basel helped guide the Mustangs to a 5-3 dual record and their 12th consecutive conference championship. At the C-USA Championships, Basel won the 400 IM, setting new conference and pool records. She also set new conference and pool records in the 200 breast and took second in the 200 IM with a season-best time.

Ackerson holds a 3.89 GPA in business and was named to the 2007 NGCA All-American Scholar Team and ESPN the Magazine's Academic All-District squad in 2007. A two-time All-Conference USA selection, Ackerson has won three career C-USA Golfer of the Week awards and finished third at the 2007 C-USA Championships.