Grace Puts Up In The Classroom, As Well
WINONA LAKE – For the second straight year, every varsity team at Grace College received the Scholar-Team distinction by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
To receive Scholar-Team status, a team must post a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Overall, Grace’s student-athletes posted an average GPA of 3.43, a department record. The previous GPA record of 3.35 was set last year.
Twelve of Grace’s teams finished in the top 25 academically for their respective sport, and six teams finished either first or second in the Crossroads League.
The Lady Lancers’ volleyball team finished with the highest GPA on campus for the second consecutive season. Head coach Katie Van Hofwegen’s unit posted a 3.70 GPA, good enough for 11th-best in the NAIA.
Additionally, men’s basketball under Jim Kessler (3.49 GPA), men’s soccer under Matt Hotchkin (3.46) and men’s outdoor track and field under Jeff Raymond (3.37) all finished as academic champions in the Crossroads League for their sport.
Kessler’s basketball team repeated as academic champs for the second straight year; the Lancers finished No. 4 academically among all basketball teams.
Hotchkin’s soccer squad had the third-highest GPA in its sport, and men’s outdoor track was fifth-best.
“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.”
Besides volleyball, three teams topped the 3.50 threshold. Women’s cross country finished with 3.58, women’s soccer had a 3.55, and women’s basketball ended with a 3.51.
Six additional teams finished in the top 25 respectively for their sport: women’s outdoor track and field (3.47), men’s golf (3.44), women’s indoor track and field (3.43), men’s cross country (3.42), men’s indoor track and field (3.34) and baseball (3.29).
The baseball team’s 3.29 under Cam Screeton was the sixth-best GPA in the sport.
Remaining Scholar-Teams for the Lancers include: women’s golf (3.46), softball (3.41), women’s tennis (3.31) and men’s tennis (3.21).