Aug. 5, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's gymnastics team finished the 2008-09 school year ranked 35th in the nation in the annual NACGC/W National Team Academic Rankings. Individually, four Nittany Lion women's gymnasts were also recognized for their performance in the classroom.
Since 2001, the Penn State women's gymnastics team has finished in the top 40 in the country in academic rankings. The 2009 team finished with a 3.2836 grade point average. The squad was one of five Big Ten schools ranked in the top 40.
Individually, sophomore Melissa Klein earned her second career honor with a 3.84 GPA in Visual Arts, senior Brandi Personett was honored for the third year with a 3.81 GPA in Nursing, senior Allie Southard picked up her second accolade with a 3.79 in Finance and senior Lindsey Montross earned her first career honor with a 3.72 in elementary education.
Penn State finished 2009 ranked ninth in the nation after advancing to the NCAA National Championships for the first time since 2005. The Nittany Lions had three gymnasts advance to the individual event finals and earn All-America status.