Four student-athletes from the Rice University swim and dive team were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, according to an announcement on April 7. Seniors Ella Dyson and Ava Hamblett, along with sophomores Ava Portello and Reese Cole, received this recognition. Cole and Portello were also selected to advance to the Academic All-America ballot. The first-, second-, and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced on April 28.
The selection recognizes both athletic performance and academic achievement among collegiate athletes. Being named to the Academic All-District Team highlights a commitment by these student-athletes to excel in their sport while maintaining strong academic records.
Dyson, from Marlow, England, achieved her third individual title in the 5K at the CSCAA Open Water Championship this season. She was also recognized as NIC Female Athlete of the Year after winning three events: the 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle races. Dyson holds a grade-point average of 3.81 while double majoring in sports medicine and exercise physiology as well as business management.
Hamblett is from Orange, Connecticut. She earned two medals at her conference championship meet—including gold as part of Rice’s 800 freestyle relay team—and maintains a GPA of 3.67 while double majoring in sports medicine and exercise physiology alongside biosciences.
Portello hails from Davis, California; she won individual conference championships in both the 500- and 1,650-yard freestyle events this year. She competed at NCAA Championships in those same races and has been honored three times as American Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Week. Portello has a GPA of 3.95 with majors in history and business management.
Cole is from League City, Texas; she claimed conference titles in both the 200- and 400-yard individual medley events before competing at NCAA Championships in the latter race. Cole holds a perfect GPA of 4.00 while double majoring in sports medicine/exercise physiology and neuroscience.
Members of College Sports Communicators will vote on which student-athletes are selected for Academic All-America honors later this month.
