The NCAA has recently announced that Denison University senior swimmer Kristen Hohl (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) has been awarded the prestigious Postgraduate Scholarship for the Winter of 2009. The scholarship, awarded annually to college senior scholar-athletes who have excelled academically and athletically, is Denison's 43rd such honor.

A star in and out of the pool, Hohl was recently inducted into the Denison chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. A biology major, Hohl was also named one of five Presidential Medalists for 2009, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior from Denison. In addition to these honors, she holds membership in Sigma Xi, the scientific research society;  the Phi Society; Alpha Epsilon Delta, the Health Pre-Professional Honor Society; the Biology Honor Society; Mortar Board, the National College Senior Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. She has been given the Award for Academic Excellence in the Biology, Physics and Chemistry departments, and has volunteered with the Denison Community Association, the Free Swim Lessons Program and Relay for Life.

Hohl is a 22-time All-American and a four-time NCAA National Champion in the 200 medley relay (twice), the 400 medley relay, and the 200 freestyle relay. The four-time national qualifier has captured 11 North Coast Athletic Conference championships and helped lead her team to their second conference championship in 2009 as well as back-to-back third place team finishes at the Division III Championship meet.

The Winfield, Ill. native was named CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® in 2007 and 2008 and has broken NCAA national records in the 200 and 400 medley relays. Her swimming resume also includes six standing Denison records and team Outstanding Performer of the Year, Freshman Performer of the Year, Outstanding Academic Award and the Coaches' Award.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Program was created in 1964 to honor outstanding student-athletes from NCAA member institutions. The NCAA awards scholarships of $7,500 each year to student-athletes who have excelled academically and athletically and are in the final season of intercollegiate varsity athletic competition. The student must carry a 3.20 cumulative grade point average, be a distinct member of a varsity team, intend to enroll in a graduate degree program and be an outstanding citizen. Hohl is the 43rd Denison athlete since 1968 to receive the scholarship and the 21st swimmer from Denison to earn the award.