TOWSON, Md. – Led by nine gymnasts who earned individual Scholastic All-America honors, Towson University placed sixth in the nation in competition for the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women (NACGCW) Scholastic All-America Team awards.

With a 3.5860 Grade Point Average during the 2011-12 academic year, the Tigers placed sixth in the nation. There were 67 collegiate gymnastics programs competing for team academic honors.

Last year, Towson placed 29th nationally.

“To show such an improvement from last season and to finish top-10 in the nation shows our student-athletes’ dedication to excellence not only in the gym but the classroom as well,” said Coach Vicki Chliszczyk, the Tigers’ second-year coach.  “We really put a focus on academics this year and I am extremely proud of the commitment this team has shown."

Southern Utah had a 3.8431 team G.P.A., the top mark in the nation. Southeast Missouri State was second with a 3.7364 G.P.A. while Wisconsin-Lacrosse ranked third with a 3.7105. Utah was fourth with a 3.6644 G.P.A., just ahead of Brown. Brown compiled a 3.6414 G.P.A. while Towson was sixth (3.5860).

Ohio State finished seventh with a 3.5806 G.P.A. while national champion Alabama (3.5479) was eighth. Western Michigan (3.5335) was ninth and Eastern Michigan (3.5239) rounded out the top ten.

The Tigers placed nine gymnasts on the NACGCW Scholastic All-America individual list. Only 13 schools had more Scholastic All-America individuals than Towson. Western Michigan led all schools with 15 honorees while Utah and Wisconsin-La Crosse each had 14 gymnasts honored. Alabama had 13 team members honored. In addition, Utah State, Southeast Missouri, Ohio State, Eastern Michigan and Florida had 12 individual All-America Scholars.

The ECAC Gymnast of the Year and the NCAA Southeast Regional Gymnast of the Year, Kacy Catanzaro led the Tigers’ contingent of honorees. Catanzaro is an early childhood education major with a 3.91 G.P.A. Another senior, Kady Sullivan earned a 3.63 G.P.A. as an exercise science major to earn individual honors.

Junior Maria Braune had a 3.97 G.P.A. as a biology major to earn All-America Scholar status. Sophomores Macalla Curtis and Alexa Davis were also honored. Curtis is a business administration major with a 3.91 G.P.A. while Davis earned a 3.82 G.P.A. as a physical education major.

Four freshmen, including Janis Konkle, Samantha Lutz, Lauren Ross and Diona Straub, round out the Tigers’ contingent of All-America Scholars.

Konkle is a physical education major with a 3.64 G.P.A. while Lutz had a 3.52 G.P.A. as an exercise science major. A speech pathology major, Ross has a 3.97 G.P.A. while Straub is a nursing major with a 3.76 G.P.A.

NACGCW Scholastic All-America Team Awards

The Tigers finished the 2012 season with a 20-4 record and finished second in the ECAC.

Towson will compete in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League next year.