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The MU swim teams cheering each other on during a meet.

GRACE DILLON/COURTESY

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By Karen Flores, Staff Writer

Both the women’s and men’s swim and diving teams were selected by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) to join the Scholar All-America Team for the spring 2024 semester. 

According to GoJaspers, the women’s and men’s teams received a cumulative GPA of 3.47 and 3.15, respectively, with the women’s team being one of 563 teams to achieve a 3.30 and above. 

Jonathan Carsen, a junior double major in business analytics and computer information systems, believes that one of the biggest things that played a role in the recognition of both teams is their level of accountability. 

“The biggest thing is that first and foremost, we are student athletes with an emphasis on student, so that means that academics come first no matter what,” Carsen said. “It’s definitely about accountability, not just in competition or in the pool, but what we do in our classes and it’s definitely a culture thing where once you have to hold yourself accountable in every measure it becomes second nature.” 

Brian Hansbury, coach of the women’s and men’s swim teams, shared the same thoughts and talked a bit about how he interacts with his athletes to ensure they are supported. 

“These kids are here for an amazing education that Manhattan University is offering, and that has to come first,” Hansbury said. “You can’t be an athlete without strong academics. With my athletes, we have accountability in the classroom as well as in the pool, so if they’re not getting the job done, we’re going to talk about it. I’m going to check in on how they are doing and how I can help. We need to make sure that our athletes understand that academics come first.”

Grace Dillon, a senior digital media arts major, said having a support system within her teams has also played a role in her academic success. 

“Being a smaller team as well as a co-ed team, we practice together and we go to meets together,” Dillon said. “We are very supportive of each other, because we’re so intertwined. You’re learning some time management skills, you’re putting your all into everything you do and I definitely took a lot of inspiration and mentorship from my team members.” 

Carsen said he is amazed by his teammates and knows that these titles are reflective of their hard work and dedication. 

“I’m amazed by my teammates constantly, of what we’re able to achieve, and also how much better we’re getting, especially in the pool and out of the pool as well,” Carsen said. “The team culture has always been ‘you can do it.’ There are times where it really is overwhelming. Times of certain games, needs, practices and assignments aren’t always going to be inconvenient, just because one affects the other, but it’s a part that you learn and you understand. So I was not surprised by how many of us were named MAAC scholars and of our recognition because I know how hard we all work to be successful together.”

Only a few months into his coaching tenure, Hansbury is already impressed by the group of student athletes he gets to coach and is optimistic for the future of the team. 

“I’m very impressed by them so far, their ability to communicate and be adults at an age and a period in their life where they’re starting to figure out what they want to do, where they want to be, who they want to be, is amazing,” Hansbury said. “I commend the group of young men and women that I work with for their maturity level and their academics speak for themselves, they’re fantastic in the classroom. I’m really excited to get them in the water and look forward to the season with these Manhattan Jaspers.”