Anderson Named Garners CoSIDA Academic All-American Award

AUSTIN, Texas – James Madison swimming and diving junior Faith Anderson was named to the 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-America Division I At-Large Team, earning a spot on the Second Team.

Despite the cancellation of spring competition during COVID-19, CoSIDA continued its sponsorship of the Academic All-America awards program. Student-athletes were selected based on career statistics.

"We are so proud of her accomplishments," JMU Diving Coach John Wolsh said. "Faith has blossomed into an incredible young woman while at JMU. She has transformed into a leader, not only by her actions, but her words as well. She is the well-rounded student-athlete that coaches look to have in their programs."

Anderson is the first member of the JMU swimming & diving program to receive this accolade. The junior diver holds a cumulative GPA of 3.98 while majoring in psychology. She was a member of the CAA Commissioner Honor Roll and earned President's Lists laurels in both semesters this year. Anderson was additionally named to the 2020 VaSID All-State Academic Team.

"I am so proud and happy for Faith," Head Coach Dane Pedersen said. "She exemplarily represents our university, athletic department and program in every aspect. She is an amazing student, athlete, teammate and member of the JMU community. We are so fortunate to have her as a member of our swimming and diving family. She is so deserving of this honor, and I could not be happier for her."

The Palestine, Ohio, native is a three-time All-CAA performer, two-time VaSID All-State awardee and was named the 2019 CAA Diver of the Year. Anderson secured three first-place finishes on the 1-meter and five on the 3-meter board. She won the bronze at the 2020 Colonial Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Championships on the 3-meter board and finished fourth on the 1-meter board. Anderson has qualified for three NCAA Zone A Championships and finished 13th on the 3-meter this past season.

On the women's side, 33 of the 46 members of the 2019-2020 CoSIDA Academic All-America Division I Women's At-Large Team achieved at least a 3.90 GPA, with 20 student-athletes posting a 4.00 GPA (or better) during their undergraduate and/or graduate careers. The 15 members of the first team compiled an average GPA of 3.94.

Anderson joins softball junior Sara Jubas as a 2020 Academic All-American, marking the fifth time that JMU has produced two or more Academic All-America selections in the same year and for the first time since 2003.

Since the department's first honor back in 1976, a total of 21 JMU student-athletes have combined for 28 Academic All-America awards.

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