IRVINE, Calif. – Concordia University Irvine sophomore Katelyn Thomas can proudly say she is now the answer to a trivia question.
 
On Wednesday, Thomas became the first member of the CUI women's swimming and diving team to be named a CSCAA All-American at the NCAA DII level.
 
The CSCAA, which stands for the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America, altered its criteria for selecting All-Americans at all NCAA levels this year after the unprecedented stoppage of the NCAA DII National Swimming and Diving Championships. In contested events, the top eight finalists were named to the first team while the consolation finalists received honorable mention. In events that were not contested, individual and relay qualifiers selected for the championship were named All-Americans.
 
Thomas and fellow sophomore Kyle Benjamin both represented CUI at nationals for the second straight year this past March after the pair qualified in multiple events. Thomas entered nationals as the No. 8 seed in the 100 backstroke, and thus etched her name in CUI history as the program's first All-American in the NCAA DII era.
 
"It's such an incredible recognition," said Thomas. "Even last year, I cried when I found out when I made nationals because I didn't think that would happen, especially as a freshman. I was thankful to just get the opportunity to be at nationals that first time and I'm very competitive with myself.
 
"Going into meets, I hate knowing where I am in the standings," explained Thomas. "I'm super superstitious and I'd rather just find out where I am at the end. I didn't know at (our) conference (meet) that I was seeded that high, and to find out I was seeded eighth was insane because I didn't think I would ever be that high."
 
"Katelyn proved herself this year to be one of the best backstrokers in the nation," said CUI head coach Bert Bergen. "She is a dedicated technician in practice consistently looking for the little changes she can make to squeeze additional tenths of a second off the clock. She is also an enthusiastic, entertaining, and faithful leader. We're very proud of her and this accomplishment is an epic breakthrough in program history. NCAA Division II is a whole different level of competition and Katelyn and Kyle Benjamin have shown that Concordia is ready to compete here."
 
Despite not getting to compete in her signature event, Thomas did place 27th in the nation in the 50 freestyle and clocked a time of 23.60 seconds before the meet was canceled abruptly due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Benjamin, an Olympic hopeful who was named PCSC Male Athlete of the Week this past Monday, also was able to compete in one of the two races he qualified for at nationals before the stoppage.
  
"Preparing those weeks leading up to nationals and training with Kyle on campus was exciting," added Thomas. "It was really devastating not being able to swim after working so hard up to that point. We were stuck in Ohio when everything was going down, and the fact we were able to get back home was a blessing. It's hard to believe that the last time I was in the pool was in Ohio.  I'm eager to see what I'm capable of and I'm just excited to get the chance to take care of my unfinished business."
 
"Despite the cancellation of the NCAA Championships, Coach Bergen did a remarkable job this season," explained Greg Earhart, the executive director of the CSCAA. "Katelyn had the rug pulled out from her this season, so we are excited to recognize her as one of the nation's best."