Smith named ACC Women's Swimming Scholar-Athlete of the Year

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Virginia Tech swimmer Sara Smith (McGaheysville, Va.) has been named the 2008 ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Women's Swimming and Diving, ACC Commissioner John Swofford announced on Wednesday.

The ACC Scholar-Athlete Awards were established last September to be awarded annually to the top junior or senior athlete in their respective sports. Candidates for the awards must have maintained a 3.0 grade point average for their career, as well as a 3.0 during the last two semesters.

"We are very happy for Sara to receive this prestigious award," head coach Ned Skinner said. "Knowing how many incredible swimmers and divers there are in this conference, it is a significant accomplishment for Sara. The ACC represents the finest for our students in the pool and classroom, and she is truly incredible in both areas. Furthermore, she is a great leader for this program, and we are proud of the person she has become."

The junior Smith had her strongest season yet as a Hokie as she was a 2008 honorable mention All-American in the 50-yard freestyle, the 200 medley relay and the 400 medley relay after earning top-16 finishes in each event at the NCAA Championships. During the 50-yard freestyle prelim, Smith broke the 10-year-old ACC record to reach the finals. She also had a dominating performance at the ACC Championships, capturing titles in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle while also earning All-ACC honors in the 100-yard butterfly with a third-place performance.

In addition to owning school records in the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle, Smith was an anchor on the ACC champion 200 medley relay team that set a Virginia Tech school record. Smith holds top-100 world rankings in both the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle events.

A biology major who minors in chemistry, Smith has been named to the Virginia Tech College of Science Dean's List during four separate semesters. She was a 2007 Academic All-American and was named to the Virginia Tech Athletics Honor Roll in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Smith is also a two-time member of the All-ACC Academic Honor Roll and was recently named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III at-large team.