DEFIANCE, Ohio – Eric Swartz and Brad Zarembski have each been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV First Team, while Samantha Higdon has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV Second Team as voted on and announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

The award recognizes student-athletes for outstanding achievements in the classroom as well as on the playing field. In order to be eligible for this award, the athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have reached sophomore status or higher academically, participate in over half of the team’s games and play a key role in those games.

Swartz provisionally qualified for the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the decathlon this season, the second consecutive year that the DC school-record holder in the event has accomplished the feat. The 2007 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team selection also won the high jump title at the 2008 All-Ohio Indoor Championships. Swartz is a two-time Gene Geren award winner, which is given to the Defiance College male athlete with the highest academic performance. The senior posted a 3.88 cumulative grade-point average, majoring in accounting and finance.

Zarembski, a 2007 Outdoor All-American in the high jump, claimed high jump titles at both the indoor and outdoor All-Ohio Championships this season. The two-time HCAC high jump champion was also selected as the HCAC Field Athlete of the Week twice this season, while also provisionally qualifying in the event for the 2008 NCAA Div. III Championships (indoor and outdoor). Zarembski posted a 3.91 cumulative grade-point average, majoring in business administration.

Higdon is a two-time All-Ohio honoree in the weight throw, while also earning the distinction in the hammer throw at the 2008 All-Ohio Outdoor Championships. The sophomore won the hammer throw at the 2008 Dick Small Invitational, while also claiming the HCAC title in the event last season. Higdon posted a 4.00 cumulative grade-point average, majoring in accounting.