Photo by: Mallory Hiser, BGSU Athletics
Talisa Lemke Named All-American By CSCAA
April 08, 2020 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Colorado Springs, Colo. – The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has named Bowling Green State University diver Talisa Lemke to its 2019-20 All-American team.
"Despite the cancellation of the NCAA Championships, Coach Perkins did a remarkable job this season," explained Greg Earhart, Executive Director of the CSCAA. Talisa had the rug pulled out from her this season, so we are excited to recognize her as one of the nation's best."
Lemke produced one of the most historic seasons in program history. At the 2019 Magnus Cup, she broke her own school records on both boards. Her 3 meter preliminary score of 373.50 is the current school record. Her victories in both events helped the Falcons finish in 4th place among 13 teams. The native of Germany concluded the regular season with two victories in the Battle of I-75, including a record-breaking performance on the 1 meter board. Her score of 346.80 is the current school record.
The senior swept the diving events at the MAC Championships for the second consecutive year, helping the Orange and Brown take fifth place. She earned First Team All-MAC honors and MAC Diver of the Year for the third consecutive season. She was also recognized as the MAC's Most Outstanding Senior. For her efforts on the boards and in the classroom, she was recognized as the MAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Week. Last week, she was recognized as Academic All-MAC for the third time in her career. As a freshman, Lemke was named Second Team All-MAC and won MAC Freshman Diver of the Year.
Lemke also qualified for the NCAA Diving Zones for the fourth time in her career. She was a 2018 NCAA Championships qualifier and had advanced to this season's Zone C finals before the meet was canceled. She concluded the season with 17 victories, a second-place finish, and a third-place finish. 16 of her 17 victories came with scores higher than 300, as did her four preliminary round scores . The senior finished her career with 61 first-place finishes, including five at the MAC Championships. Lamke is the first Falcon to be recognized as a CSCAA All-American since 1991.
More Information On The CSCAA All-American Team
Due to the cancellation of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the CSCAA Board adjusted the selection criteria for each Division. The result was an unprecedented number of selections in what is largely acknowledged as unprecedented circumstances. Greg Earhart, Executive Director explained that the Board of Directors sought to not penalize any student-athlete who had not had the opportunity to compete for a spot on the All-American team. "Our sport is replete with previously-unheralded swimmers and divers who have gone on not just to All-America honors, but also to national championships and Olympic Team spots."
This isn't the first time the association adjusted All-America criteria. The first CSCAA All-America team was published in 1924, thirteen years before the first men's NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship. The first women's All-America team was published in 1975, seven years prior to the first NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship. During much of that time, the team was selected by a panel of coaches. In 1985 the honor was standardized around the NCAA Championships with the top eight finalists receiving first-team recognition and consolation finalists being named Honorable Mention.
The official CSCAA release with a list of All-American selections can be found HERE.
Follow The Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons swimming and diving team on social media.
Twitter – @BGAthletics and @FalconSwimDive
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'falconswimdive'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics'
"Despite the cancellation of the NCAA Championships, Coach Perkins did a remarkable job this season," explained Greg Earhart, Executive Director of the CSCAA. Talisa had the rug pulled out from her this season, so we are excited to recognize her as one of the nation's best."
Lemke produced one of the most historic seasons in program history. At the 2019 Magnus Cup, she broke her own school records on both boards. Her 3 meter preliminary score of 373.50 is the current school record. Her victories in both events helped the Falcons finish in 4th place among 13 teams. The native of Germany concluded the regular season with two victories in the Battle of I-75, including a record-breaking performance on the 1 meter board. Her score of 346.80 is the current school record.
The senior swept the diving events at the MAC Championships for the second consecutive year, helping the Orange and Brown take fifth place. She earned First Team All-MAC honors and MAC Diver of the Year for the third consecutive season. She was also recognized as the MAC's Most Outstanding Senior. For her efforts on the boards and in the classroom, she was recognized as the MAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Week. Last week, she was recognized as Academic All-MAC for the third time in her career. As a freshman, Lemke was named Second Team All-MAC and won MAC Freshman Diver of the Year.
Lemke also qualified for the NCAA Diving Zones for the fourth time in her career. She was a 2018 NCAA Championships qualifier and had advanced to this season's Zone C finals before the meet was canceled. She concluded the season with 17 victories, a second-place finish, and a third-place finish. 16 of her 17 victories came with scores higher than 300, as did her four preliminary round scores . The senior finished her career with 61 first-place finishes, including five at the MAC Championships. Lamke is the first Falcon to be recognized as a CSCAA All-American since 1991.
More Information On The CSCAA All-American Team
Due to the cancellation of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the CSCAA Board adjusted the selection criteria for each Division. The result was an unprecedented number of selections in what is largely acknowledged as unprecedented circumstances. Greg Earhart, Executive Director explained that the Board of Directors sought to not penalize any student-athlete who had not had the opportunity to compete for a spot on the All-American team. "Our sport is replete with previously-unheralded swimmers and divers who have gone on not just to All-America honors, but also to national championships and Olympic Team spots."
This isn't the first time the association adjusted All-America criteria. The first CSCAA All-America team was published in 1924, thirteen years before the first men's NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship. The first women's All-America team was published in 1975, seven years prior to the first NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship. During much of that time, the team was selected by a panel of coaches. In 1985 the honor was standardized around the NCAA Championships with the top eight finalists receiving first-team recognition and consolation finalists being named Honorable Mention.
The official CSCAA release with a list of All-American selections can be found HERE.
Follow The Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons swimming and diving team on social media.
Twitter – @BGAthletics and @FalconSwimDive
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'falconswimdive'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics'
Players Mentioned
Diver
/ Women's Swimming & DivingBG Swim/Dive : Ava Vial Postmeet 2.2
Monday, February 05
BG Swim/Dive : Coach Perkins Postmeet 2.4
Sunday, February 04
BG Ziggys : Daisy Platts
Monday, April 25
BG S/D : Coach Perkins Post-Mac's 2.26
Sunday, February 27