June 14, 2005
IOWA CITY, IA – Former Hawkeye swimmer Jennifer Skolaski recently earned an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. She competed for the Hawkeyes from 2002-05.
The NCAA annually awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships, 87 for men and 87 for women. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically, and who are in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition. The grants of $7,500 each are awarded for fall, winter and spring sports. There are 29 scholarships available for each of the three sports seasons for men and women. Swimming and diving is one of 13 women’s sports to be classified as a winter sport. The fall season has six women’s sports, while the spring season has eight.
Eligibility is restricted to student-athletes at NCAA member institutions who have performed with distinction as members of their varsity team. Nominees must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.2 (based on a 4.0 scale), be nominated by the faculty athletics representative or designee, and intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a part-time or full-time graduate student.
Skolaski was Iowa’s first four-time NCAA qualifier in swimming, earning all-America honors in the 100 back in 2003 and 2005. She ended her Hawkeye career ranked in the top-10 in 11 of the 14 individual swimming events. Skolaski holds school records in six events and the second-best time in three. She also swam on 15 relays that are ranked in the top-10 in school history.
“Jennifer is an outstanding individual with uncommon abilities to excel in the classroom and the pool,” said Head Swimming Coach Marc Long. “She is a natural leader and performer who will continue to strive for excellence in every area of her life. The University of Iowa swimming and diving program is honored to have Jennifer as a member of our family. She is a worthy recipient of an NCAA postgraduate scholarship.”