SAN FRANCISCO — The No. 17 Arizona State gymnastics team placed a program-best nine student-athletes on Pac-12 All-Academic teams, as per an announcement made by Commissioner Larry Scott in conjunction with the conference on Thursday afternoon.
The Gym Devils proved well represented, notching a conference-best four first-team honorees —
Nichelle Christopherson,
Jessica Ginn,
Katelyn Lentz and
Heather Udowitch — while receiving a pair of second-team nods from
Ashley Szafranski and
Morgan Hart.
Rounding out the list of Gym Devil honorees
Justine Callis,
Morgan Wilson and
Graycee Rushton netted honorable mention recognition.
Garnering the second Pac-12 All-Academic nod of their respective careers were Lentz (First-Team, 2017), Udowitch (Second-Team, 2017), Callis (HM, 2017) and Wilson (HM, 2017).
The Gym Devils have continued to adhere to Arizona State's rich tradition of athletic and academic excellence under the direction of head coach
Jay Santos. In 2017, the program placed seven student-athletes on Pac-12 All-Academic teams, while ten members of the squad garnered Scholastics All-American recognitions (NACGC/W). As a contingent, Arizona State gymnastics was one of seven Sun Devil programs recognized as an APR (Academic Progress Report) Top-10 percent performer in 2017. Exemplifying the team's academic excellence, the Gym Devils managed a perfect score of 1000.
To be eligible for selection to an All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and must have participated in at least fifty percent of competitions this regular season. First-year student-athletes are not eligible for Pac-12 All-Academic Teams.
