Complete list of 2012 Upstate A-Sun Academic Honors

Spartanburg, S.C. – Following a strong fall semester, USC Upstate’s student-athletes posted another strong semester in the spring with 11 perfect 4.0 GPA performances and a cumulative Athletic Department GPA just a shade under 3.0.

Upstate’s 221 student-athletes who competed in the spring semester averaged a 2.979 GPA in the spring. Five of the university’s 15 programs finished with a GPA above 3.0, while all 15 posted a GPA higher than 2.6. In all, 10 of the 15 programs averaged a GPA of 2.9 or better.

In addition, Upstate placed 123 student-athletes on the A-Sun All-Academic team. It marks the first time that the A-Sun has combined multiple sport athletes into one selection, meaning several of Upstate’s cross country runners and track & field competitors only received one selection, though they competed throughout the year. In past years, cross country and track & field participants were eligible to receive selection in both cross country and track & field.

“We continue to be proud of the effort out student-athletes put forth in the classroom,” said Mike Hall, Director of Athletics at Upstate. “As a whole, our student-athletes are not only committed to excelling in athletics, but have a strong dedication to their academic pursuits and getting their degrees. Everyone involved in our academic program, including the Chancellor, the athletic administration and staff, the coaches and student-athletes, have shown a great commitment to working hard in the classroom and we could not be more proud of their efforts.”

Upstate had 56 percent of its student-athletes, or 123 in total, finish with a GPA of 3.0 or better in the spring semester. Eleven Spartans claimed a perfect 4.0 GPA. Those individuals were Hannah Al-Sakati (women’s tennis), Casee Clauser (softball), Kristi Goodman (women’s golf), Krystal Hedderman (women’s soccer), Kara Lohr (softball), Katelyn Molkenthin (softball), Dave Musambi (men’s soccer), Kelsie Queen (volleyball), Mindy Quimby (volleyball), Chalmers Rogers (men’s basketball) and Laura Transue (women’s cross country/track & field).

The women’s tennis team posted the highest GPA of all 15 athletic programs in the spring semester with a 3.528 GPA, one of five programs to top the 3.0 mark. The volleyball team made it a close second after posting a 3.522 GPA. The softball team was third at 3.140 and was followed by women’s soccer at 3.104 and women’s basketball at 3.028.

Women’s Golf was sixth with a 2.990, just missing the 3.0 GPA threshold, and was followed by men’s cross country (2.980), women’s cross country (2.980), men’s soccer (2.976), women’s track & field (2.906), men’s track & field (2.872), men’s golf (2.822), baseball (2.821), men’s basketball (2.751) and men’s tennis (2.632).

In addition to the A-Sun All-Academic team selections, Upstate had several student-athletes earn additional academic honors from the conference office. Five Spartans were named an A-Sun Presidents’ Scholar for completing 48 credit hours at the institution, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or above, completing their final year of eligibility and receiving their degree in the same year they finished their eligibility. Those individuals were Timo Foerster (men’s soccer), Chris McCoy (men’s soccer), Kelsie Queen (volleyball), Chalmers Rogers (men’s basketball) and Jan Wienholt (men’s soccer).

Two Spartans earned the A-Sun Commissioner’s Scholar award for completing 48 credit hours at the institution, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.6-3.799, completing their final year of eligibility and receiving their degree in the same year they finished their eligibility. Those individuals were Tyler Cook (baseball) and Chad McCoy (men’s soccer).

Finally, Upstate had 29 student-athletes named an A-Sun Conference Scholar for completing 48 credit hours at the institution and earning a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or above. Those individuals were Hannah Alexander (softball), Matt Begley (men’s soccer), Emily Bigham (volleyball), Amanda Carroll (volleyball), Carolyne Chelulei (women’s cross country/track & field), Tyler Cook (baseball), Timo Foerster (men’s soccer), James Hadley (men’s soccer), Julia Harris (women’s soccer), Gilbert Kemboi (men’s cross country/track & field), Hakeem King (men’s soccer), Chris Knauff (baseball), Chad McCoy (men’s soccer), Chris McCoy (men’s soccer), Katelyn Molkenthin (softball), Abigail Osborne (women’s track & field), Morgan Page (volleyball), Sarah Plantz (women’s soccer), Taylor Pleier (women’s golf), Kelsie Queen (volleyball), Mindy Quimby (volleyball), Chalmers Rogers (men’s basketball), Emily Sanders (volleyball), Maria Tonani (women’s tennis), Laura Transue (women’s cross country/track & field), Luke Weber (baseball), Paige Weiland (volleyball), Jan Wienholt (men’s soccer) and Andrew Wyant (baseball).

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