BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Illinois State gymnastics team ranked in the Top 25 academically of all collegiate gymnastics programs last year, as the Redbirds came in at No. 21 on the list of top team grade-point averages (GPAs) for the 2019-20 academic year based on data submitted to the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA).
Overall, there were 53 teams with a team GPA of 3.5 or more on a 4.0 scale, an increase from 31 teams last year. A record number of student-athletes recorded a 4.0 GPA (193 total or 14.23 percent), which is an increase from 8.91 percent in 2019. The Redbirds came in at No. 21 overall with a team GPA of 3.6860 and had 12 student-athletes with a 3.5 GPA or above to earn WCGA Scholastic All-America honors.Â
"I am so very proud to announce that 80 percent of our team were Academic All-Americans this year," ISU head coach Bob Conkling said. "As a team, we ranked No. 21 in the nation with a 3.686 GPA for the year and had a record-breaking spring semester GPA of a 3.836. I can't say enough about how this team stepped up academically this year, especially with going online midway through the spring semester."
Redbird gymnasts Christin Bandy, Triniti Barron, Mary Kate Bihary, Gabrielle Cooke, Charlise Doctor, Sofia Iribarren, Katie McGowan, Mia Quigg, Savannah Remkus, Cameron Topp, Jessica Rothman and Alyssa Wiggle each posted GPAs of 3.5 or above to earn WCGA Scholastic All-America honors.
"The academic success of the women's collegiate gymnastics programs across the country truly exemplifies the commitment to excellence in the classroom," Kerrie Turner, WCGA president and head coach at Bowling Green, said. "Despite the adversity faced during the COVID 19 pandemic, the student-athletes and teams continued to stay focused on the opportunity to learn and grow regardless of the in-person or remote educational environments. The accolades earned are a testament to the dedication, commitment, and incredible work ethic fostered within our member programs."
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