Aug. 20, 2009

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) announced the 2009 Scholastic All-America award winners and five Illini gymnasts were honored for their exemplary academic performances this year. Sophomores Allison Buckley, Melissa Fernandez, Samantha Perino, senior Lindsey Smith and student manager Lori Hamilton garnered this achievement as a result of GPAs of 3.5 or better for the year.

Buckley notched a 3.92 GPA, while Fernandez tallied a 3.64 GPA in their kinesiology coursework. Perino and Smith are both psychology majors and earned GPAs of 3.72. Hamilton majors in accountancy and had a GPA of 3.74. A total of 67 student-athletes earned 4.0 GPAs for the 2009 academic year and 428 earned Scholastic All-America status.

Southeast Missouri State University earned the National Academic Team Championship again with a 3.9124 composite team GPA, while the Illini were ranked 27th on the list with a team GPA of 3.3453.