Thomason an ACWPC First Team All-American
6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
• 2016 ACWPC All-America Team (PDF)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior Ali Thomason became the first University of Michigan water polo student-athlete to receive first team All-America honors from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches, announced on Thursday (June 2).
The Wolverines had four individuals earn All-America accolades as sophomore Caroline Anderson, freshman Kim Johnson and junior Allison Skaggs all received honorable mention. Skaggs and Thomason each earned All-America honorable mention each of the past two seasons, while Anderson and Johnson earn the honor for the first time.
Thomason, a neuroscience major from San Rafael, California, set a school record with 94 goals this season. Her 119 total points were the second most in a single season in school history. She also led the team with 61 steals and 16 field blocks. A great offensive and defensive threat, Thomason was also a team captain for the second straight year and led the Wolverines to its first CWPA championship since 2010 and its highest finish at the NCAA Championship (fourth) in program history.
Anderson shattered her own single-season assists record with 71 assists, 15 more than her record of 56 from last year. The Palo Alto, California, native was second on the team with 114 points and 54 steals.
Johnson broke the freshman goals record with 62 as she played her way to being named the CWPA Rookie of the Year. She also took care of business in the classroom and was recognized by U-M for being the top freshman in academics and athletics.
Skaggs finished with 43 goals and 11 assists, but her game-winning goal in the final seconds against No. 6 Arizona State guaranteed U-M its top finish in program history. A sport management major, Skaggs has been named All-America honorable mention in all three of her collegiate seasons.
The four selections are the most in Michigan's history. U-M had three seven times in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
