 |
 Western Carolina's fifth place in the WBCA Academic Top-25 is the highest in school history. |
 |
July 15, 2008
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina Women's basketball earned the fifth spot in the WBCA Academic Top-25, the highest ranking in school history for the Lady Catamounts, thanks to the club's combine team GPA of 3.543. It is the third time the Lady Catamounts have been on the WBCA's Academic Top-25 list, ranking 15th in 2007 and tied for sixth in 2001.
"I am so proud of our players and the commitment they have made in the classroom again this year," said Head Coach Kellie Harper. "Having a high team GPA was a priority for our team the past two years. I appreciate the work of our academic support staff and their genuine concern for all of our student-athletes."
Western Carolina is just one of six programs on the list with 20 or more wins, with the second-most wins in the season on the heels of Liberty who boosted 28 wins in the 2007-08 season and was just one of two teams from the Southeast region. The Lady Catamounts were also one of seven teams on the honor roll to participate in postseason play.
The Lady Catamounts are also setting a precedent in the Southern Conference. Western Carolina is the highest placing conference team in the WBCA Academic Top-25 and the only team to earn a spot on the list multiple times. Appalachian State was ranked 25th in 1999 and Chattanooga earned a 23rd ranking in 2000.
The WBCA Academic Top-25 Honor Roll award is given in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and Junior College/Community College, awarding teams throughout the nation that carry the highest grade point averages (GPA) for the entire season based on the nomination submitted by WBCA-member head coaches.
WBCA Academic Top-25 Honor Roll
|
|
 |
School Team GPA Record
1. South Dakota State 3.699 23-7 (WNIT, 1st round)
2. Kansas State 3.652 22-10(NCAA, 2nd round)
3. Indiana State 3.591 14-15
4. Eastern Washington 3.584 4-25
5. Western Carolina 3.543 25-9 (WNIT, 1st round)
6. Northern Iowa 3.535 13-18
7. Eastern Illinois 3.475 19-13
8. Manhattan College 3.430 15-15
9. Utah Valley State 3.419 16-11
10. Northern Colorado 3.414 14-16
11. Montana State-Bozeman 3.392 18-13
12. Southern Illinois 3.371 10-20
13. Niagara University 3.361 8-22
14. Liberty University 3.354 28-4 (NCAA, 1st Round)
15. Saint Bonaventure 3.352 18-12
16. University of Maine 3.345 7-23
17. American University 3.342 18-14 (WNIT, 1st Round)
T18. Canisius 3.326 13-18
T18. North Dakota State 3.326 17-11
20. Oakland University 3.312 20-10
21. Dartmouth 3.311 15-16 (WNIT, 1st Round)
22. New Mexico 3.308 20-13 (NCAA, 1st Round)
23. Wichita State 3.289 9-22
24. Valparasio 3.286 14-16
25. Columbia University 3.278 10-18
