June 27, 2006                    

Cowley softball, women’s outdoor track named Spring Academic Teams-of-the-Year

The Cowley women’s softball and outdoor track teams not only excelled athletically, they shined academically as they were named the top 2005-2006 Spring Academic Teams-of-the-Year in their respective sports.

The Lady Tiger softball team, which won its third straight conference title and finished fourth at the NJCAA Division II National Championships, achieved an overall team grade point average of 3.52.

The softball team last finished as the top academic team in 1998 when they capped a run of five straight Spring Academic Team-of-the-Year awards.

“We emphasize to our players on the very first day that we want them to do well in the classroom,” Cowley head softball coach Ed Hargrove said. “It is a real credit to our players that they are disciplined enough to go to class and do the work.”

The Cowley women’s outdoor track team, which finished as Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division champions and placed ninth at the NJCAA National Outdoor Championships, had a combined GPA of 3.36.

“This group of young ladies is one of the most amazing group of young ladies I have ever been around,” Cowley head track coach Mark Phillips said. “Their commitment and desire both academically and athletically is an incredible testament to what they have done.”

The women’s indoor track team finished second to Phoenix (AZ) College with a GPA of 3.40, while the women’s tennis team was recognized for posting a GPA of 3.24.

Cowley’s men’s tennis and women’s basketball teams also made the list of Spring Academic Teams-of-the-Year as they each posted GPA’s of 3.13.

The minimum GPA requirement for consideration on the Spring Academic Teams-of-the-Year was 3.00.