Nate Biondi Named Academic All-American

BERKELEY – California men's swimmer Nate Biondi was named to the 2020-21 Academic All-America® Men's At-Large Third Team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The first-, second- and third-team honors are earned by the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in athletic competition and in the classroom.
 
Biondi, who graduated from Cal this spring with his degree in American Studies, was one of 15 student-athletes spanning eight sports and 14 schools to be selected to the at-large third team. The full list of Academic All-America® Men's At-Large honorees can be viewed at academicallamerica.com.
 
Biondi, a senior, capped the 2020-21 season with his first NCAA title in the 200-yard freestyle relay at the NCAA Championships in March, swimming the final leg (19.07) to help the Golden Bears set a school record (1:14.36). He was awarded his first All-America certificate for the performance. Earlier that month, Biondi helped Cal bring home the 200 free relay title at the Pac-12 Championships, as he swam 19.61 in the first leg. He placed sixth in the 50 free at the Pac-12 Championships (19.63).
 
A four-year member of the Cal program, Biondi was a part of the Bears' 2019 NCAA title and four consecutive Pac-12 titles (2018-21). An academic standout, Biondi was also a four-time Scholar All-America honoree by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) and earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Academic Team/Honor Roll for three consecutive years (2019-21) throughout his college career.
 
Biondi is the fifth Golden Bear men's swimmer to receive CoSIDA Academic All-America® Men's At-Large honors, joining Bengt Baron (1985), Nathan Adrian (2010-11), Ryan Murphy (2015-17) and Pawel Sendyk (2020).
 
To be eligible for Academic All-District® and All-America distinction, nominees must have reached at least sophomore academic standing and have a 3.30 GPA or higher to go along with legitimate athletic contributions.
 
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