April 22, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. - George Mason junior Steven Benecki posted a successful season in the water and in the classroom, and for his efforts he was recognized as the Colonial Athletic Association's CAA Men's Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Benecki is a Dean's List student and a three-time recipient of the CAA Commissioner's Academic Award. A junior accounting major, he received the first George Mason Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award.

"Steven is a pleasure to work with," said Mason head coach Peter Ward. "He goes about his work in a quite and unassuming way but is committed and puts in the effort both in the pool and the classroom. He deserves all the recognition he receives."

In the pool, the Fairfax native had four top-10 finishes at the 2009 CAA Swimming and Diving Championship. He placed third in the 500 freestyle (4:30.12), sixth in the 200 butterfly (1:52.45) and ninth in the 200 freestyle (1:41.15). Benecki was also a member of the Patriots' 800 freestyle relay team that finished third.

The CAA honors one Scholar-Athlete in each of its 22 championship sports. Nominees for the award must be a starter or important reserve on their team and must meet have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.20. The winners were selected by a vote of the sports information directors at each CAA institution.