UA tops SEC in academic rankings

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas’ gymnastics team was strong in the gym last year, finishing 11th in the nation, and the Razorbacks have added a top 20 academic ranking, including the highest in the Southeastern Conference, to go with it.

For the eighth straight year, Arkansas has placed among the top 35 programs in the nation, according to the National Association for Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women.

The Razorbacks posted a team grade point average of 3.4369 to rank No. 16 in the country and first in the SEC while six student-athletes earned selection to the NACGC/W All-Scholar Team.

Senior Amy DeFilippo, and freshmen Natalie Bohonsky and Kelci Lewis all posted a perfect GPA of 4.0. Sophomore Genny Salvatore had a 3.89, senior Sarah Nagashima a 3.71 and senior Casey Jo Magee a 3.52. DeFilippo, Nagashima and Salvatore each earned all-scholar honors for the second time.

Arkansas is one of just eight schools in the country, and one of only two in the SEC, with three or more team members recording a 4.0. The others are Southeast Missouri State, Alabama, Maryland, Southern Utah, Winona, California State-Fullerton and North Carolina State.

"In our program, we strive for excellence both athletically and academically," co-head coach René Cook says. "Due to the commitment of our student-athletes, we’ve been able to do both. We have consistently had a 3.4 team GPA or better and we’re proud of everyone on the team. Their dedication put us at the top of the SEC and in the top 20 overall. We appreciate the hard work of everyone, and the way they represent the university and our program."

In its eight-year history, the Razorbacks have recorded a team GPA of 3.4 or better five times. Last year, Arkansas was No. 16 in the country with a 3.4309.

In the gym, Arkansas finished 11th in the nation in 2010. The Razorbacks advanced to the NCAA Championship for the fourth time in their eight-year history, for the fourth time in five years and for the third time in four years. Arkansas earned an NCAA regional bid for the seventh straight season and finished second in the West Regional at UCLA.

Magee finished second in the nation in the all-around, fourth on beam, tied for fifth on bars and 12th on floor. She was a first-team All-American in the all-around, on bars, on beam and on floor. Sophomore Jaime Pisani was 10th in the nation on floor and tied for 12th on vault. She was a first-team All-American on floor and vault, and second-team in the all-around.

Top 25 National Association for Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women Academic Rankings