Men's AOTY Samuel Jo Headed To NCAA D-III Champ Denison University

Samuel Jo, the Pasadena City College Men's Athlete of the Year for 2017-2018, will continue his swimming career and education at NCAA Division III national champion Denison University (Ohio).

Jo leaves PCC with a number of accomplishments, including twice earning South Coast Conference Swimmer of the Year honors, winning three state titles (back-to-back years capturing the gold medal in the 100-yard backstroke), setting three school records (all at May's state meet) and being named All-American 13 times combined in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Earlier this year, he helped the Lancers win their first-ever dual conference crown at an undefeated 7-0, and then aided PCC to place sixth place at the CCCAA State Championships, the highest finish by a Lancers squad since the program's last state team title in 1978. Jo was guided in his two seasons by Lancers head coach Terry Stoddard.

Jo will be attending a D-III powerhouse in the Big Red of Denison, a college that has won four national team crowns in the past eight years and he will swim under Gregg Parini, an 11-time NCAA National Coach of the Year. https://www.denisonbigred.com/sports/mswimdive/2017-18/releases/20180324v8efmx

A kinesiology major, Jo posted an impressive 3.44 GPA in the classroom. Jo leaves PCC as the greatest backstroke swimmer in the college's history.