AUSTIN, Texas - Fresno Pacific graduate student Tatum Benson was named to the Women's At-Large Academic All-America® Second Team by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). 

To be eligible for this award, student-athletes must have earned at least a 3.50 grade-point average and have played in 70 percent of their team's total varsity contests / events while also having been named Academic All-District, which was announced three weeks ago.
 
The Division II at-large teams honored 45 student-athletes with eight members of the first team holding perfect 4.00 GPAs. A total of 16 of the 45 members have 4.00 GPAs either as an undergraduate or a graduate student. The 15-member first team has a 3.93 cumulative GPA. The NCAA Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures, which assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs. 

Benson earned a perfect 4.0 GPA while earning her Master's in Business Administration.

One of the most decorated Fresno Pacific women's water polo student-athletes, Benson finished her career as the Sunbirds' all-time goals leader. This season, Benson led the 'Birds and the conference in scoring (79) and goals per game (3.3) while finishing in third in total points (85). In the regular season, she had six games of six goals or more, with her highest total of the season at eight against the University of La Verne on March 1st. Benson also earned WWPA Offensive Player of the Week twice this season. Benson is also a three-time ACWPC (Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches) All-American, having received first team distinction 2023, 2024, and 2025. Additionally, she was a first-team All-WWPA performer this season and three-time selection. The Sunbirds finished the year at 14-13 overall, taking fifth place at the WWPA Championships.  

"I am truly excited for Tatum earning this honor," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "It is a testament to her hard work and dedication to academics and athletics. She has truly made her mark in this program and it has been a blessing to be her coach. I am happy that others have recognizer her successes as well. It is well deserved."

Click here for the full release from CSC. 


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