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Gymnastics Teams Rank Among Nation’s Best Academically

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Aug. 14, 2002 -- The Springfield College gymnastics teams' cumulative grade point averages were ranked among the best among the nation’s Division I, II and III programs.

The Pride men’s team earned a 3.189 g.p.a. which was sixth nationally. Four men were named College Gymnastics Association All-America Scholar Athletes by attaining at least a 3.5 grade point average and earning a minimum NCAA gymnastics score of 8.0 during the season. Sophomore Michael Smith (Salt Lake City, Utah) compiled a 3.78 g.p.a. and a high-score of 8.600 on the vault. Sophomore Joshua Chasse (Lewiston, Maine)totaled a 3.68 g.p.a. while winning the USA Gymnastics National Championship on still rings with a 9.225. Junior Mathieu Perry (Feeding Hills, Mass.) earned a 3.59 g.p.a. with an 8.350 on floor exercise. Freshman Paul Oliveri (Methuen, Mass.) totaled a 3.50 g.p.a. with a top score of 8.050 on the vault. The Pride finished its season with a fifth-place finish out of eight teams at the USA Gymnastics Championship.

The Pride women’s 3.325 g.p.a. was 21st nationally. Nine SC women were named Academic All-Americans for compiling a 3.5 g.p.a. or higher: Senior Kathleen Percheski (Marlboro, Mass.) 3.95; sophomore Andrea Babcock (Wayland, Mass.) 3.92; junior Jenna Prothers (Amherst, Mass.) 3.91; senior Holly Tolland (Wilmington, Del.) 3.89; sophomore Allison White (Shrewsbury, Mass.) 3.88; freshman Amanda Roth (Bloomfield, N.Y.) 3.62; junior Michelle Chiotakis (West Granville, Mass) 3.61; senior Gina Gutierrez (South Setauket, N.Y.) 3.61 and senior Melissa McCormack (Flemington, N.J.) 3.55. The group led Springfield to its seventh-straight National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Division III Championship, where the Pride finished sixth.

Men
1. William & Mary 3.348
2. Stanford 3.295
3. MIT 3.288
4. California 3.233
5. Vermont 3.200
6. Springfield 3.189
7. Oklahoma 3.175
8. Penn State 3.167
9. Navy 3.076
10. Ohio State 2.977

Women
1. Southern Utah 3.780
2. Utah 3.726
3. Alabama 3.599
4. Gustavus Adolphus 3.582
5. Eastern Michigan 3.563
6. Cornell 3.508
7. Yale 3.494
8. Stanford 3.467
9. MIT 3.463
21. Springfield 3.325

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Head Coach Steve Posner

Steve Posner Entering his 28th season as head men's gymnastics coach, Dr. Steve Posner is recognized as one of the most outstanding gymnastics coaches in the East. Posner, who has coached 135 All-Americans and 18 National Champions, led the Pride to another successful season in 2009. He has been named the NACGA Eastern Region Coach of the Year in each of the last two years. His latest book, published in 2008 and entitled "Coaching Leadership Handbook -- Instilling Values and Character through Sport," is available on Amazon.com.Read more.

Contact Head Coach Steve Posner

E-Mail | Phone: 413.748.3357

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