Four seniors from Denison University's women's swimming and diving team were named to the 2025-26 Academic All-District庐 teams, recognizing their achievements both in athletics and academics. Phoebe Ferguson, Emily Harris, Lu-Si Minnich, and Drue Thielking showcased remarkable performances at both the conference and national levels, contributing to Denison's fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Ferguson earned her third consecutive Academic All-District庐 honor, while Minnich was recognized for the first time after winning multiple NCAC titles. Each athlete significantly boosted their team鈥檚 scores through diverse events, highlighting their dual commitment to excellence in sports and scholarship.

By the Numbers
  • Phoebe Ferguson recorded two NCAC titles and scored 6 points at the NCAA Championships.
  • Emily Harris earned three NCAC titles and tallied 56 points for the team.
  • Lu-Si Minnich was a two-time NCAC champion and placed 12th in 1-meter, 6th in 3-meter dives at NCAA Regionals.
  • Drue Thielking contributed 62 points during NCAC Championships and 33 points at Nationals.
State of Play
  • Denison's women's swimming and diving team celebrated a strong season, finishing fourth at the NCAA Championships.
  • All four athletes selected for Academic All-District庐 were pivotal in securing multiple conference titles and national achievements.
What's Next

With the graduation of these standout seniors, Denison will look to recruit new talent to maintain its competitive edge and build on this year's successes in swimming and diving. Continued focus on academic excellence will remain a priority as the program seeks to balance athletics with student performance.

Bottom Line

The recognition of these four Denison University athletes underscores the importance of balancing academic rigor with competitive sports. Their contributions have set a high standard for future teams, emphasizing that excellence can be achieved in both spheres.