CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four members of the Illinois swim and dive team, Martina Cibulkova, Sara Jass, Elle Crisostomo, and Bethany Mercer, earned Academic All-District recognition from College Sports Communicators (CSC), the association announced on Tuesday.
Senior Sara Jass, a Geneva, Illinois native, earns her second such honor, after being recognized to the CSC Academic All-District list in 2024. Jass is studying kinesiology at Illinois, and broke the 200 breaststroke school record in November, swimming a 2:12.90.
Junior Martina Cibulkova, of Bratislava, Slovakia, earned her first CSC honor, and is also studying kinesiology. Cibulkova added top-ten program marks in three events this season, swimming the fourth-best 50 butterfly (24.79) at the CSCAA Championships this March.
Diver Elle Crisostomo, a Carson, California, native, also took home her first recognition from CSC. Crisostomo, a junior, is studying information sciences and data science. She earned personal bests in both the one-meter and three-meter springboard dives this season.
The final honoree is junior diver Bethany Mercer, of Solon, Ohio. Mercer is studying community health at Illinois. In November, Mercer added her name to the record book, registering the ninth-best platform dive in school history (235.45).
To be eligible for recognition, nominees must have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above and be at least a sophomore both academically and athletically. For swim and dive, nominees must participate in at least 75 percent of the team's meets, finish in the top eight at a conference meet, or participate in a national championship.
For the full list of honorees, visit the Academic All-America Team website.
