Chapman women rank No. 1 in team GPA

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University women's water polo team has claimed top-rank among all NCAA Divisions I, II, III and NAIA with a 3.42 team grade-point average for the 2008-09 academic year. The rankings, released by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC), have the Panthers No. 1 in the nation ahead of Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.) with 3.36, Brown University (R.I.) with 3.35 and, locally, the University of Redlands with 3.21.

This is the highest the Chapman women have ever ranked in the team GPA poll, placing as high as No. 5 in 2006. The rankings measure the team average based on cumulative GPAs from every player on the school's active roster.

Seven Panthers were also honored for their individual GPAs by the ACWPC. Senior Daniella Beintema leads the group, earning "Outstanding" honors with a 3.80 GPA in broadcast journalism. Earlier this year, Beintema earned ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VIII honors, as well.

Sophomore Hannah Thomas and freshmen Stephanie Roy and Arielle Worthington also achieved "Outstanding" recognition, with GPAs in the 3.71-4.0 range.

A trio of Panthers were also awarded "Superior" honors, recognizing players with a 3.41-3.7 GPA: sophomore Adrienne Lebsack and freshmen Sarah Lee and Briana O'Keefe.