Men's Swimmer Nathan Lile Named To 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-America At-Large First Team
June 09, 2016 | Swimming
FARGO, N.D. – Gardner-Webb swimmer Nathan Lile established another first for the men's program Thursday, earning a spot on the 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-America® At-Large First Team.
Lile (Waynesville, N.C. / Homeschool) is the first men's swimmer in Gardner-Webb history to earn Academic All-America honors from CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Former women's swimming standout Taylor Simpson was named first-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America – also sponsored by CoSIDA – twice (2004-2005 and 2005-2006).
The men's Academic All-America At-Large candidates come from a pool of NCAA Division I student-athletes from the sports of golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo and wrestling.
Lile was one of only three student-athletes on the first team with a cumulative GPA of 4.00. He graduated from Gardner-Webb on May 7 with a degree in computer science and philosophy. Lile was named Gardner-Webb University's Most Outstanding Male Graduate at spring commencement.
He earned CoSIDA Academic All-District III First Team honors for the second season in a row, which placed him on the All-America ballot.
Lile's academic and athletic accomplishments ensure his trophy case will be well stocked.
In the pool, Lile was the first Gardner-Webb men's swimmer to qualify for the NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships, competing in three races in Atlanta, Ga. While there, he was presented with the NCAA Elite 90 Award, a prestigious honor bestowed upon the student-athlete with the highest GPA competing at the national championships site.
He was named Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Most Outstanding Male Swimmer and Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second season in a row, capping another exceptional performance at the CCSA Championships in March.
Lile set four conference records, won three individual events and was a pivotal part of two relay victories at the CCSA Championships. During his four-year career in the pool at GWU, Lile earned All-CCSA honors 21 times and set numerous school records.
In early June he received the George A. Christenberry Award, given annually by the Big South Conference to the student-athlete(s) with the highest cumulative GPA during their college career.
Lile's next chapter in the pool is an exciting one, as he takes part in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials (June 26-July 3) in the 50 free, 100 back and 100 fly. The Trials will be held at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb., with high stakes – a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team that will compete in Brazil.
