Razorbacks get it done in classroom

FAYETTEVILLE — The fall 2009 semester closed with 27 University of Arkansas student-athletes earning perfect grades and 186 above a 3.0 mark it was announced today.

Women’s swimming and diving paced the department with six Academic Champions with perfect 4.0 grade point averages. They were closely followed by five members of the Razorback gymnastics team and three Academic Champions from soccer and men’s track and field.

The Razorback men’s track and field team had the most total selections this semester with 25 student-athletes at or above a 3.0 GPA. The football team was second with 22 followed by the swimming and diving team with 19 selections. The Razorback softball team had 18 student-athletes recognized with women’s track and field had 17.

“A total of 186 individuals representing all 19 of our sports have once again demonstrated the strong commitment our student-athletes have to academic and athletic achievement” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “We are proud of these outstanding young men and women who have balanced the requirements of a full-time academic schedule with the demands of practicing, training and competing athletically in their given sports for the Razorbacks.”

This year’s Academic Champions were paced by swimmers Gina Bargiachi, Sarah Howard, Lisa Lunkenheimer, Erin Neumann, Lynette Ng and Leah Pierce. Jeff Poppell’s squad is coming off a senior day win over Utah in the final regular season meet and is preparing for the SEC Championship Feb. 17, in Athens, Ga.

The Razorback gymnastics team posted five to the Academic Champions list led by All-American Sarah Nagashima. The other gymnasts include Stacy Bartlett, Amy DeFilippo, Kelci Lewis and Genny Salvatore.

The rest of the Academic Champions include: Garrett Methvin (baseball), David Hurd (football), Halmon Fess (men’s tennis), Layne Boyer (men’s track and field), Corinna Rees (women’s golf), Victoria Vela (women’s golf), Kailey Anders (soccer), Katherine Moffett (soccer), Chelsea Tidwell (soccer), Kim Jones (softball), Hope McLemore (softball, Anouk Tigu (women’s tennis), Tara Diebold (women’s track and field), Katie Stripling (women’s track and field), Keri Wood (women’s track and field) and Mackenzie Rhea (volleyball).

2009 Fall Semester Academic Honor Roll

Athletic Director’s List3.50-3.99 GPA

Department Honor Roll3.00-3.49 GPA