For the fourth year in a row, the Wagner College women’s water polo team has scored the highest GPA in the nation among collegiate water polo teams. The Seahawk achievement was announced by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.
“What a fabulous group of talented women!” said Wagner College President Richard Guarasci. “They are smart, dedicated students and superb campus leaders.”
The Seahawks head a list that includes 65 programs comprised of Division I, II, III and NAIA schools. Wagner posted a team GPA of 3.63, the highest in their four consecutive seasons, improving on last year’s mark of 3.57.
“Our student-athletes dedication and effort in the classroom is remarkable,” said head coach Chris Radmonovich. “To now hold this honor for four consecutive years speaks volumes to the commitment and hard work these young woman put into their studies.”
The ACWPC groups its academic awards into three separate categories: Outstanding (4.00-3.71), Superior (3.70-3.41) and Excellent (3.40-3.20). In total, Wagner had 14 student athletes earn ACWPC academic honors.
The Seahawks placed an incredible eight students in the Outstanding (3.71-4.00 GPA) category: Lacey Anderson, Elise Be, Lily Doerfler, Gabryel Olapu, Emily Riddle, Megan Rodriguez, Amanda Sutherland and Kimberly Watson. Oloapu earned the distinction of Outstanding for her work in the classroom for the second year in a row while the other seven individuals earned the honor for the first time.
Four student athletes placed in the Superior (3.41-3.71) category: Jessica Burdge, Rachel Burns, Michelle Greenough and Madison Lyon.
Two Seahawks earned Excellent (3.20-3.40) distinctions: Alexey Chandler and Jess Lundgren.
Wagner captured this year’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship for the second straight season and earned a trip to the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Individually, Riddle was a force in the net, earning MAAC Defensive Player of the Year. Lundgren had one of the finest seasons in program history as she earned MAAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and an ACWPC All-American honorable mention nod, a distinction she shared with Rodriguez.