Twelve Spartans Earn Academic Honors From NACGC/W

Aug. 7, 2008

East Lansing, Mich. - The National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) announced the final academic team and individual rankings for the 2007-2008 academic year for the nation's collegiate women's gymnastics teams. Michigan State finished fourth with a 3.65 overall GPA; MSU was the highest ranked team among Big Ten Conference competitors and placed 12 student-athletes on the NACGC/W All-Academic team, an all-time MSU high. Rankings are calculated by determining a weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale that creates a relevant measure for comparison among all the universities in the U.S. Individuals must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in an academic year in order to be named all-academic.

Receiving NACGC/W All-Academic accolades for MSU were Rhiannon Banda-Scott, Megan Bergland, Danielle Fanning, Nicole Heikkila (4.0), Melanie Hunt, Bethany Little, Emily Lopatofsky, Megan McNally, Kelly Moffitt, Kelsey Morley, Kristyn Moskal and Katlyn Roggensack (4.0).

"My student athletes made a conscious effort to increase their grade point average as a team," said head coach Kathie Klages. "I am thrilled with their efforts as the results have made school history. Not only did we earn the highest GPA of any athletic team on campus, but the fourth place national academic finish is the highest we have ever placed, and the 12 Academic honors are the most ever in our history. With the amount of hours these gymnasts spend in the gym, their academic success is truly exceptional. I am so very proud of each and every team member, their efforts and accomplishments."

This year's team academic national champion was Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), led by head coach Tom Farden. The Redhawks finished the year with a team GPA of 3.82 and 16 individual NACGC/W All-Academic awards. SEMO edged out Winona State University (3.755) and Southern Utah University (3.723).

This year, there were 61 female collegiate gymnasts with 4.0 GPAs and over 400 individuals who received NACGC/W All-Academic status, as well as 59 teams with GPAs over a 3.0.

Since the 1989 season, Michigan State has earned 82 selections, honoring 40 student-athletes, to the NACGC/W All-Academic team.