Katie Swanson and Grace volleyball were part of a record-breaking academic season for the Grace athletic department. InkFreeNews file photo by Mike Deak

Press Release

WINONA LAKE – The Grace College athletic department continued to impress in the classroom for the 2020-21 year, achieving a record academic performance.

For the fifth straight season, all of Grace’s varsity programs hit their academic mark by achieving a team GPA of 3.00 or greater. As a result, each team will qualify for the NAIA/NCCAA Scholar-Team award.

The department had an overall GPA of 3.47, marking the highest overall GPA in department history. The previous high was 3.45 set last year.

The women’s soccer team claimed the department honors for the highest GPA. The Lady Lancers, led by head coach Michael Voss, boasted a stellar 3.75 team GPA.

The women’s (3.68) and men’s (3.66) cross country teams under head coach Jake Poyner impressed as did volleyball (3.66) under Katie Van Hofwegen.

Women’s basketball (3.64) under coach Dan Davis, women’s tennis (3.64) under Marcus Moore and men’s tennis (3.61) under Andy Lewis all achieved a 3.60 or better during the school year.

“The academic excellence that our athletic programs achieve can be credited to the commitment and dedication of our coaches and student-athletes,” said Grace athletic director Chad Briscoe. “Our programs strive for Christian excellence in all areas, which includes both the academic and athletic realms. The Scholar-Team distinction for our programs is a tremendous reflection on Grace College. Our faculty play an integral role in the academic and spiritual growth of our student-athletes, and we are incredibly thankful for their work.”

The remaining academic teams include: softball (3.46), women’s golf (3.43), men’s basketball (3.41), men’s soccer (3.33), men’s golf (3.32), women’s outdoor track and field (3.31), women’s indoor track and field (3.30), men’s indoor track and field (3.27), men’s outdoor track and field (3.27) and baseball (3.20).