La Verne Places 10 Student-Athletes On ACWPC All-Academic Squad
Ten members of the University of La Verne women's water polo team were recognized by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches for the academic achievement during the 2011-12 school year.
As a team, La Verne posted the fifth-highest grade point average among all 56 water polo programs that comprise Division I, II and III. The Leos finished the year with an overall GPA of 3.410.
Wagner College led the way with a 3.51 GPA followed by Harvard (3.507) and Connecticut College (3.450). Caltech (3.430) was fourth overall followed by the Leopards.
The ACWPC All-Academic Awards are broken down into three levels based on overall GPA. Student-athletes were recognized in three levels: 3.20 to 3.40 GPA (Excellent), 3.41 to 3.70 GPA (Superior) and 3.71 to 4.0 (Outstanding).
Among the Leopards in the "Outstanding" category included seniors Brianna DiCarlo and Ashley Forsberg along with sophomore Shane Burgess . The trio of sophomore Katie Lacek and freshmen Sarah Jefferis and Maddie Lovrensky earned "Superior" honors. In addition, the quartet comprising of senior Brittany Orduno, juniors Alex Gudeneau and Lauren Shepard and sophomore Bethie Ross were honored in the "Excellent" category.
"As individuals our group of student-athletes set high goals in the classroom," said head coach Alex La. "The effort they put forth in the classroom is not something we need to discuss. They take tremendous pride in their academics and their hard work and committment has been reflected."
To qualify, players must have competed in at least 50 percent of the team's games during the 2012 season and have at least a 3.2 GPA to earn ACWPC honors.
