Southeast Missouri State gymnasts claim fifth No. 1 ranking for GPA

The Southeast Missouri State women's gymnastics team is back on top of the nation academically.

It was announced Friday that, for the fifth time in seven years, Southeast posted the highest cumulative grade-point average among all NCAA programs as recognized by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women.

The Redhawks' 3.8146 GPA edged out Western Michigan's 3.8086 mark.

"This is always a goal of ours and I couldn't be prouder of our student-athletes. We always stress how important their education is and that gymnastics is an avenue to assist them in earning a degree," Southeast coach Kristi Ewasko said. "They all put in hours of studying every day and balance that with their training and personal lives."

Ewasko credited Southeast's academic support system, led by academic services coordinator Sharon Burgard and the university's Success Center that aids student-athletes academically.

"This award is a great representation of our program's commitment to recruiting students first and athletes second," Ewasko said. "It also speaks volumes about the resources available to our student-athletes through Sharon Burgard and the Success Center. Those resources allow our gymnasts to focus both in the gym and in the classroom."

In addition to the team honor, all 13 gymnasts on last season's roster earned spots on the NACGC/W All-Academic Team. Six of those gymnasts posted a perfect 4.0 GPA during the 2012-13 academic year, tied with Texas Woman's for the most in the country.

Rounding out the top 10 in the team academic standings were Utah (3.6920), Texas Woman's (3.6200), Southern Utah (3.5960), Lindenwood (3.5910), Brown (3.5853), Alaska (3.5817), Hamline (3.5514) and Alabama (3.5458). Southeast has finished with either the highest or second-highest GPA in the nation in each of the last seven years.

The Redhawks claimed academic national titles in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 in addition to this year's crown. Southeast finished second in the national rankings in 2010 and 2012.

Soccer

Southeast opened its season Friday night with a 4-0 loss at Nebraska.

The Redhawks trailed just 1-0 at halftime but the Cornhuskers broke things open with three second-half goals.

Southeast was outshot 30-3. Senior goalkeeper Ashton Aubuchon recorded 10 saves in the nets for the Redhawks.

The Redhawks return to action today with a 1 p.m. contest at Missouri-Kansas City.