NEW ORLEANS, La., The Chattanooga women's track and field team posted the second-highest GPA in the nation and was named an All-Academic Team by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Thursday.
 
"We are very proud of our women's team," Mocs head coach Andy Meyer said upon receiving the news. "These young ladies were able to focus on the classroom task while the wild and turbulent COVID situation was everywhere about them."
 
The women recorded an overall team GPA of 3.795, a program record, marking the eighth time they had a GPA of 3.6 or better in school history. Twelve student-athletes posted a 4.0 GPA in the spring and eight in the fall.
 
"Taking classes in a situation they have never faced and performing so well speaks to their character," Meyer said. "There were all amazing. Twelve 4.0 GPAs is unbelievable on one team.
 
"It also reflects on the tremendous job that the UTC athletic academic advisors do. Catie Campbell, Emily Blackman and all the staff in advisement kept the team engaged and challenged. Our assistants Ty Griffin and Michael Gadson do a fantastic job of stressing the importance of academic achievement as well as athletic accomplishments."
 
This is the third time the women's track team has ranked second or better when the GPA was not combined with the women's cross country team. The Mocs were second in 2015 with a 3.73 and led the nation in 2009 with a 3.55 GPA.
 
Abby Bateman maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her collegiate career and for the second straight year was named a CoSIDA Academic American Third Team this year.
 
The Mocs were one of seven Southern Conference women's teams and five men's teams to be named an All-Academic Team.
 
Iona College had the highest GPA with a 3.87.
 
To qualify for USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, a student-athlete:
- Must have compiled a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, certifiable by either NCAA Faculty Rep or NCAA Compliance Coordinator or Registrar's Office. Institutions utilizing a different GPA scale must convert the GPA to a 4.0 scale using the standard conversion method [GPA/Scale x 4.0].
- Must have completed at least two (2) semesters or three (3) quarters at the nominating institution.
- Athletic criteria for the award:

• For the indoor season: must have finished the season ranked in the top 96 in any championship individual event, or in the top 48 in any championship relay event, for the most recent indoor season, certifiable by their place on the NCAA Division I descending order lists on TFRRS for Indoor Track and Field (including performances achieved outside the qualifying window during the indoor season).