AUSTIN, Texas — Senior women’s diver Kristin Day, of Clarion University. has been named as the 2014-15 Capital One Division II Academic All-America of the Year, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
The Capital One Division II Academic All-America program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2014-15 Division II Academic All-America teams program.
“Thank you to everyone at Capital One and CoSIDA for this great award,” said Day. “It means so much to me, especially when the 2007 winner, Jamie Wolf, also a Clarion diver, was my idol growing up. To be able to follow in her footsteps is unbelievable.”
“I have had a great experience at Clarion both in the classroom and in diving,” said Day. “I can’t thank everyone at Clarion enough for the opportunities I have received and the lessons I have learned. Special thanks to my coach, Dave Hrovat, who pushed me and prepared me in ways that I have never been before. I learned what sportsmanship really means, and how to deal with both victory and defeat. It has prepared me well for my future. I would also like to thank my parents and my grandparents for their love and support, and for being there for me every step of the way.”
A chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry, Day graduated from Clarion with a perfect 4.00 G.P.A. in May. She received the Elite 89 Award at the 2015 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships. The Elite 89 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative G.P.A. participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships. Day, who received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, will begin medical school in the next month at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Day is a four-time Clarion and Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference Scholar Athlete, plus a two-time Spring Top 10 PSAC award winner.
“The entire Clarion University family is proud of Kristin as an outstanding student in the classroom and a record setting national diving champion,” said Clarion President Dr. Karen M. Whitney. “Kristin’s commitment to personal excellence is evident in everything she does. She is the epitome of Courageous. Confident. Clarion. We celebrate her success and honor her today.”
Day, a three-time NCAA Division II National Champion and eight-time career All-American, won the NCAA Division II one-meter national title this year (2015) with 506.85 points, while finishing fourth on the three-meter with 512.20 points. In 2014 she won both NCAA championships in dominating fashion. She won the three-meter springboard title setting a new NCAA record with 539.35 points, winning the event by 52.9 points. The two-time Capital One Academic All-America of the Year for Division II Women’s At-Large followed that with a one-meter national title scoring 497.05 points, winning by 30.2 points. For her efforts she was named the CSCAA NCAA Division II Female Diver of the Year.
“It was an honor and a pleasure to work with Kristin all four years,” said Clarion diving coach Dave Hrovat. “She is a committed, talented and dedicated scholar-athlete who has a character and maturity and that belie her age. We are Clarion proud today and wish her every success in the future.”
Kristin finished third on the three-meter board with 491.70 points and fifth on one-meter with 449.90 points in 2013. In 2012 she was second on three-meter, scoring 484.75 points, and fourth on one-meter, scoring 495.70 points.
Park University’s Wanessa Siqueira was named the Capital One College Division Academic All-America® of the Year Monday (June 29) while Clarkson University’s John Coleman was selected as the Division III honoree Tuesday (June 30). The Capital One Division I Academic All-America of the Year award winner will be announced Thursday (July 2).
CLARION NOTES: Day is only the second scholar athlete representing the PSAC to ever win this award – dating back to the beginning of this award in 1988… The other winner was also from Clarion — former diver Jamie Wolf in 2007 (now Dr. Jamie Wolf Jackel) … Kristin is the daughter of Dennis and Susan Day of Reynoldsville… she is a graduate of Dubois High School… Day completed 153 credits at Clarion in earning her 4.0 GPA… Clarion Women’s Volleyball Academic All-America of the Year, Laura Subject, was also in the running for this award… Clarion was the only school in Division II to have two nominees for this prestigious award.
