12 Rutgers Gymnasts Named Academic All-Americans
Aug 15 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, NJ - Twelve members of the Rutgers University gymnastics team have been named to the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches (NACGC) Academic All-America Team, the organization announced.
The Scarlet Knights posted a 3.20 overall grade point average for the 2006-07 academic year. To qualify for the award, the student-athletes must post a 3.5 GPA over the entire year or boast a cumulative GPA of 3.5.
RU was led by senior Elizabeth Fittery (Denver, Pa.), who earned an A in every course and posted an unblemished mark of 4.0. Fittery graduated with degrees in psychology and masters education. A four-year starter and team captain, she competed in the all-around event. Fittery was one of 29 female student-athletes awarded the NCAA post-graduate scholarship at the end of her academic career, and was named EAGL Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2006.
Sophomore Jessica Haddaway (Baltimore, Md.) had an impressive 3.9 mark while studying communication and competing in the all-around event. Junior Jacquelyn Verdon (Freehold, NJ) had a 3.64 mark studying environmental planning and design, followed closely by history and political science major, sophomore Kristy Behr's (Northport, NY) average of 3.60.
Senior exercise science and sports studies major Kelly Straka (Fairless Hills, Pa.) boasted a GPA of 3.55. Senior Casey Santangelo (Cherry Hill, NJ) and freshman Laura Sevarino (Cheshire, Conn.) posted averages of 3.52 and 3.51, respectively, as Santangelo earned her management degree and served as a co-captain of the squad.
Junior Jodi Lebeau (Bristol, Conn.) posted a 3.47 mark in exercise science and sports studies, sophomore Alison Hartwig (Wayne, NJ) had a GPA of 3.43 studying psychology and sociology, while senior Elizabeth Bramley (South Windsor, Conn.) had an average of 3.41, earning degrees in anthropology and psychology.
Junior Elizabeth Bohnsack (Pasadena, Md.) had an average of 3.30 studying journalism and senior co-captain Lorena Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga.) rounded out the honorees by earning her degree in communication with a 3.23 mark.
The Scarlet Knights ended the 2007 season with 15 victories for the third time in the past five seasons, and finished 6th at the EAGL Championships. The team also qualified for both the NCAA Regionals and the USAG Championships.
