SDSU engineers dominate all-league swim team selections

Five members of the South Dakota State swim team were honored as 2023-24 Summit League Academic All-League members—all are from the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.

Leading the list is senior Sianne Downes, a native of Edenvale, South Africa, who received her third honor after compiling a 3.85 grade-point average while studying mechanical engineering.

Earning a repeat selection to the 17-member squad was junior Katie Pattee, who has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA as a mechanical engineering major.

Sophomore Jenna Currier also received academic all-league honors with a 4.0 GPA. A native of Denison, Iowa, Currier is majoring in mathematics and data science.

Junior Luke Nichols earned recognition on the 15-member men's team after posting a 3.97 GPA as a civil engineering major. Nichols is a native of North Liberty, Iowa.

Braxton McGrath was the other Jackrabbit to make the men's team after compiling a 3.85 GPA. The sophomore from Amana, Iowa, is majoring in mechanical engineering.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team's competitions.

Nominations are made by athletic communications directors from the league's eight institutions that compete in swimming and diving.