BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (Blugolds.com) - A record number of gymnasts will receive the Scholastic All-America Award for the 2017-18 academic year, 11 of them being Blugolds, as released by the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA).

Earning recognition from the Blugold squad was Amelia Moorehouse (Jr. – Gregory, MI/FlexTech), Ashley Benes (Fr. – Grand Rapids, MN), Claire Lorbiecki (Jr. – Maple Grove, MN/Wayzata), Clare Mascia (Jr. – Woodbury, MN/Convent of the Visitation), Destiny Cobbs (Sr. - Minnetonka, MN), Hannah Lewis (Jr. – Saline, MI), Kiya Bjorge (Jr. - Kennewick, WA/Southridge), Lauralynn Anderson (Jr. – West Bend, WI/homeschool), Maly Krajco (Richland Center, WI), Megan Fayler (So. - Afton, MN/Stillwater) and Tori Erickson (Sr. – Woodbury, MN).

Meeting the required 3.5 grade-point average (GPA) or better required, 760 (55%) student-athletes earned honors. The percentage of women's collegiate gymnasts honored last year was 47.83%, and the previous high was set in 2015-16 with 49% of student-athletes earning a 3.5 or better GPA. GK Elite Sportswear, a WCGA sponsor, provides a certificate to each Scholastic All-America honoree and her coach.

"The emphasis the collegiate women's gymnastics programs have placed on academics is clearly highlighted by the success of our team and individual grade point averages," Kerrie Turner, WCGA president, said. "The 760 collegiate gymnastics student-athletes earning WCGA Scholastic All-America recognition have worked diligently to find the successful balance between gymnastics and academics.  The WCGA truly commends the student-athletes, the academic support personnel and the coaches within each program supporting and striving for academic excellence."

A record number of student-athletes – 118 (8.54%) - earned a 4.0 GPA this year. This number has steadily risen since 2008 with 101 (7.68%) reaching academic perfection last year and 97 (7.52%) in 2015-16.

The WCGA is the advocate for women's collegiate gymnastics. Until this month, the coaches' association was known as the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women. 

The Blugolds will kick off the 2018-19 campaign at home on January 11. Follow the action next season on Blugold Game Day or on the UWEC Blugolds app.