July 5, 2007

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Five men and five women from the University of North Carolina's swimming and diving programs were named today to the 2007 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Teams for the two sports. The All-Academic Teams were named Thursday by ACC Commissioner John D. Swofford. Four UNC swimmers -- Robby Swendiman, Philip Owen, Keith Laabs and Meagan Eickman -- were named to the All-Academic Team for the second straight year.

To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.000 cumulative average during his or her academic career.

On the women's side, senior backstroker Meagan Eickman of Spartarnburg, S.C., a journalism major, was named to the All-Academic Team for the second straight year. Senior captain Emily Reardon from Marietta, Ga., was also named to the team. One of the team's top student-athletes, she earned her degree this past May double majoring in psychology and political science. Three swimmers who were named to the 2007 All-ACC Team --sophomore Aubrette Biegel of Schererville, Ind., a double major in psychology and exercise science; junior Kristin Oxford of Charlotte, N.C., a major in journalism; and freshman Megan Steeves of Newark, Del., a student in the general college -- were also named to the academic honor squad.

On the men's side, three Tar Heels were repeaters on the All-Academic Team. Those three are senior captains of the 2007-08 UNC swimming squad -- Robby Swendiman (chemistry and political science major) of Kensington, Md., Philip Owen (journalism major) of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Keith Laabs (psychology major) of Memphis, Tenn. Owen was a 2007 NCAA qualifier in the 1650-yard freestyle and Laabs established the school record in the 200-yard backstroke this past season. Owen and Laabs were both 2007 All-ACC selections.

Also named to the team were freshman Chip Peterson (major undecided) of Pine Knoll Shores, N.C., and senior Adam Schauer of Raleigh, N.C. Schauer was the winner of the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference Senior Scholarship Award amongst all UNC senior men's student-athletes. He earned his degree in business this past May. Peterson had a phenomenal freshman year, earning first-team All-America honors in the 1650-yard freestyle and making All-ACC. He is also a world champion in open water swimming.