EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – For the 34th consecutive semester, SIUE student-athletes have posted a cumulative grade point average greater than a 3.0. For the spring 2023 semester, the Cougars earned a 3.303 combined GPA. SIUE bested its GPA from this past fall, marking the 12th semester of a departmental grade point average greater than a 3.3. Of the Cougars' 16 teams, 15 earned a GPA over 3.0.

"Congratulations to our Cougar student-athletes for once again rising to the occasion and performing at a high level academically," said Andrew Gavin, Director of Athletics. "SIUE Athletics has an impressive history of academic excellence, which is a testament to the commitment to our coaches as well as the collaborative spirit of our University faculty and staff. We are all especially grateful for the leadership, support, and mentorship provided by Jaci DeClue, Lindsey Schmidt, and Celestine Akoro."

The men's team average for the spring term was 3.148 and the women's was 3.433. Men's golf earned the department's top spot overall, marking its second-best GPA since joining Division I with a 3.637. Women's cross country earned a 3.548, followed by women's tennis with a 3.520 to round out SIUE's top three programs.

Over two thirds (69%) of SIUE's student-athletes earned higher than a 3.0 for the spring 2023 term and over 20% of total student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0.

Additionally, 42 percent of SIUE student-athletes earned Dean's List honors. For the entire 2022-2023 academic year, SIUE student-athletes earned a 3.305.

SIUE Athletics would like to recognize the continuing students who have maintained a perfect 4.0 for three semesters or more: Taylor Bruninga (baseball), Jacob Bockenstedt (baseball), Luke Ludwig (men's golf), Matea Diekema (women's soccer), Courtney Vollmer (women's soccer), Kate Crombar (softball), Jill Lambrechts (women's tennis), Melissa Vizcardo (women's tennis), Allison Sanders (women's track and field), Jessica Vineyard (volleyball) and Chase Diehl (wrestling).

Also, SIUE Athletics would like to distinguish the first-year transfers, freshman, and continuing student athletes that earned a perfect 4.0 in the 2022-23 academic year: Spencer Stearns (baseball), Cam Williams (men's basketball), KK Rodriguez (women's basketball), Presley Mackelburg (men's golf), Abby Haskell (women's soccer), Hanna Anderson (women's track and field), and Izzy Kennedy (women's track and field).

SIUE would like to congratulate the 46 student-athletes who graduated this spring: Olivia Beckwith (women's track and field), Jacob Bilyeu (men's soccer), Sebastian Borquez (men's soccer), Braedyn Brewer (baseball), Chase Diehl (wrestling), Taylor Dolt (women's soccer), Emma Dutko (women's soccer), Nicole Gomez (tennis), Maria Haro (women's soccer), Spencer Hielkema (men's cross country/track and field), Brooks Jungbluth (golf), Nicole Kijowski (volleyball), Lexi King (softball), Austin Macias (wrestling), Sarah Magnoni (women's soccer), Colton McKiernan (wrestling), Jamirah Meeks (women's track and field), Drew Mize (baseball), Mitchell Murphy (men's soccer), Tanner Collins (golf), Presley Mackelburg (golf), Connor Neighbors (golf), Emma Neuman (softball), Josh Ohl (baseball), Natalia Rodriguez (women's cross country/track and field), Matea Diekema (women's soccer), Justin Ruffin (wrestling), Aaron Schulist (wrestling), Katie Smith (softball), Taylor Spiller (women's soccer), Caitlyn Sporing (women's soccer), John Stallcup (baseball), Jamie Tabron (women's track and field), Sergio Villalobos (wrestling), Courtney Vollmer (women's soccer), Cameron Woodard (men's cross country/track and field), Lamar Wright (men's basketball), Shamar Wright (men's basketball), Thomas Dineen (wrestling), Leila Manaois (volleyball), Bobby Nuzzo (men's track and field), Lily Schieders (women's soccer), Spencer Smith (baseball), Jill Lambrechts (tennis), and Melissa Vizcardo (tennis).