SUU Gymnastics Finishes No. 2 in Academic National Championship

Published: August 18, 2009 | Read Time: 1 minutes

Southern Utah University women's gymnastics continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to the classroom as the Thunderbirds finished with the second-highest G.P.A. in the nation, tallying a 3.68 cumulative average among all of its student-athletes. The second-place finish marked the 17th consecutive year that SUU has finished in the top three, including nine academic national championships since 1993. 

"Anytime you can finish in the top five of anything, it is a great thing," head coach Scott Bauman said. "Second is not what our goals are as a program, because we have always tried to win that title. I'm very proud of how hard the girls work in the classroom." 

SUU had three student-athletes, Alissa MItchell, Laura Hollinger and Anna Schumacher who each garnered a 4.0 G.P.A. during the semester. 

Southern Utah finished behind Southeast Missouri State (3.91), but finished ahead of Michigan State (3.65), Alabama (3.56) and Hamline (3.548) who each rounded out the top five. 

The Thunderbirds were also tops in the state of Utah finishing ahead of Utah (No. 18, 3.41), Utah State (No.57, 3.00) and BYU (No. 63, 2.43). 

Southern Utah will open the 2009-10 season on Thursday, Jan. 14, when the Thunderbirds travel to face BYU. SUU will host its home opener on Friday, Jan. 22 when the the T-Birds compete against Utah State.

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