Men's and women's soccer teams carry highest GPAs in Division I

KALAMAZOO—Members of the Western Michigan University men's and women's soccer teams were honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for carrying the highest team grade point averages for 2011-12 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I.

The men's team carried a 3.45 GPA, which not only led Division I but was fourth among all divisions combined. The Bronco women's team boasted a 3.65 GPA, tying for fifth among all divisions.

The NSCAA Team Academic Award is given to soccer programs that have achieved a minimum team grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A total of 726 college soccer teams, 222 men and 504 women, posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

It was the first season the WMU men's team have earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award and the third for the women, including the last two seasons.

The Bronco women's program featured a record six Academic All-MAC honorees:

• Senior Kesley Baskins of Novi, Mich.
• Senior Anina Cicerone of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
• Senior Caitlin Henderson of Dexter, Mich.
• Senior Nikolette Rivera of St. Louis, Mo.
• Senior Stephanie Skowneski of Clinton Township. Mich.
• Junior Michelle Watson of Cincinnati, Ohio

Baskins, who held a 3.97 GPA, was named Capital One Third Team Academic All-District IV, while Cicerone, who held a 3.96 GPA, became the program's first ever COSIDA Academic All-American.

The men's team had three Academic All-MAC selections:

• Junior Kai Mendes from Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Senior Pat Schiffer of Ovid, Mich.
• Junior Derek Schrauben of Lake Orion, Mich.