Berloth, Schirmers Named to Academic All-MAC Swim Squads

BUFFALO, NY – Two members of the University at Buffalo's men's and women's swimming and diving squads have been named to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference teams. Seniors Chris Berloth and Alie Schirmers were named to the league's men's and women's lists released today by the conference from its Cleveland headquarters.

Berloth, an English major with a 3.854 grade point average, set top times for the season in all three of his events at the MAC Championships. He finished 16th in the 200-yard individual medley (1:54.57) after setting season-best 1:51.73 in the preliminary round. He also finished 15th in 100-yard butterfly in a season-best 50.30 and 14th in the 200-yard butterfly (1:52.73) after turning in a season-best 1:51.44 in the preliminaries. This is Berloth's second recognition to the Academic All-MAC squad after also earning the honor in 2010 as a sophomore.

Schirmers, a pharmacy major with a 3.678 grade point average, earned second-team All-MAC honors at the league championships and reached the championship final in all three of her individual races. She finished fourth in the 400-yard individual medley in a season-best 4:19.80, fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke in a season-best 2:17.25 and fifth in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:03.21 after setting a season-best 2:02.55 in the preliminaries. Schirmers also swam with the 800-yard freestyle relay team to a school record 7:27.06. She also has qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200-meter breaststroke and will race this June in Omaha.

"We are excited for Chris and Alie to receive this prestigious award," said UB head coach Andy Bashor. "This is great recognition for their outstanding effort in the classroom and in the pool."

The UB men finished second of seven at the MAC Championships while the UB women earned a fourth-place finish among eight schools at the league championship, the highest showing in league history for the women's team.

A total of 48 athletes (18 men and 30 women) were named to the Academic All-MAC teams.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award. Outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments from the current season only are considered. The Academic All-MAC team is voted on by the league's faculty athletic representatives.