Penn-Trafford grad, Akron diver Paige Kalik earns academic honor

Penn-Trafford graduate Paige Kalik recently earned an impressive honor as a member of the Akron swimming and diving team.

Kalik, a freshman diver, was named a first-team Division I Scholar All-American by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America.

The award recognizes students who recorded a GPA of 3.50 or higher and were invited to compete at their respective national championship.

Kalik made All-America in 3-meter diving after the NCAA championship meet was canceled because of the coronavirus.

“I was pretty surprised by my success,” said Kalik, who is studying biochemistry. “I didn’t really have any expectations going into my first year here.

“The thing that surprised me the most was being named an All-American.”

Kalik, the 2018 and ’19 WPIAL Class AAA 1-meter champion, said her teammates helped her figure out how to calm her nerves in big meets. The Zips captured their seventh consecutive Mid-American Conference title in February.

Zips coach Brian Peresie said Kalik made huge gains.

“It’s a credit to her as she was willing to push herself to get stronger, learn new skills, execute with extreme focus, as well as excel academically,” he said. “Athletically, this first season was about laying a foundation.

“The future is bright for Paige. We are excited for her to get back to campus and start working towards higher marks both in the classroom and the pool.”

Another former P-T diver, Chicago freshman Logan Sherwin (computer science), was named a men’s Division III Scholar All-American.

—Karen Kadilak