Back on Top: Gymnastics Posts Nation's Highest GPA

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The bar is perennially high for the Southeast Missouri gymnastics team in the classroom, yet the Redhawks are constantly up to the task.

For the fifth time in seven years, Southeast posted the highest cumulative grade-point average among all NCAA programs as announced by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W). The Redhawks' 3.8146 mark edged out Western Michigan's 3.8086 GPA.

"This award is a great representation of our program's commitment to recruiting students first and athletes second," Southeast head coach Kristi 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.

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.

Top-10 Gymnastics Team Grade-Point Averages

1. Southeast Missouri -- 3.8146

2. Western Michigan -- 3.8086

3. Utah -- 3.6920

4. Texas Woman's -- 3.6200

5. Southern Utah -- 3.5960

6. Lindenwood -- 3.5910

7. Brown -- 3.5853

8. Alaska -- 3.5817

9. Hamline -- 3.5514

10. Alabama -- 3.5458