Jayhawks Chalk Up Impressive In-Season GPA

June 5, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. – While rattling off a program-best 20-game win streak and the most Big 12 wins since 2009, the Kansas softball team achieved a 3.25 GPA for the spring semester.

The classroom mark ranks second during the Megan Smith era. Smith, who completed her third season at Kansas in 2012, was thrilled with the team’s academic output during the grind of the season.

“We take a lot of pride in our players’ academic success,” Smith said. “We are very proud of what they were able to do in the classroom this semester. With the amount of games we play, combined with our heavy travel schedule, it’s difficult to maintain that consistent academic focus. Our girls made it an emphasis to excel in both the classroom and on the field.”

Kansas softball churned out five 4.0 GPAs this spring, the most in Smith’s tenure, including All-Big 12 First Team member Maggie Hull. While holding down a 4.0 in the classroom, Hull hit at a .409 clip to break KU’s single-season batting average record and lead the Big 12 in the regular season. The junior captain was awarded Capital One Third Team All-America honors by CoSIDA at the conclusion of the 2012 campaign.

Twin sister, Rosie, also posted a 4.0 this spring as both she and Maggie were named Capital One Academic All-District First Team members last month. Additionally, senior Leah Daiber, junior Alex Jones and freshman Alicia Pille, who racked up 17 wins in the circle for the Jayhawks, each contributed 4.0 efforts. Three more posted GPAs of 3.30 or higher.

In total, nine KU teams achieved GPA’s of 3.0 or better. Other sports achieving 3.0’s include: volleyball (3.44), soccer (3.32), swimming & diving (3.25), men’s golf (3.14), women’s golf (3.11), tennis (3.05), and football and women’s track & field at 3.00.