Swimmer Michelle Coombs (Newburgh/Newburgh Free Academy) was named a co-winner of the prestigious Dr. Dolores Bogard award, which was announced by the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) at their annual fall meeting. The award is given annually to a junior or senior athlete with the best combination of academic and athletic ability.
Coombs was the co-recipient of the award with Geneseo’s Christy Finke, as both women carried a 3.95 grade point average and won a National Championship. Coombs is a psychology major and is the second New Paltz student-athlete to earn the honor. She joins 1999-2000 recipient, women’s soccer player, Jessica Nadolny.
In March of 2007, Coombs became the first female SUNY New Paltz national champion as she claimed the 100 freestyle with a time of 50.84 at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships. She is a six time All-American and a four-time SUNYAC Champion. Coombs was named the SUNYAC outstanding female swimmer and garnered All-SUNYAC first team honors. She earned the Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete award in 2007 is a two-time member of the SUNYAC All-Academic Team.
