For the fifth semester in a row and sixth time in seven semesters, University of Kentucky student-athletes have combined to reach the athletics department’s goal of a 3.0 grade-point average.UK’s scholarship student-athletes had a cumulative GPA of 3.112 for the fall semester of 2014, continuing to meet the challenge of matching athletic success with excellence in the classroom.”Our student-athletes work hard to meet the high standards that come with being a part of this department and I want to congratulate them on the results showing in their grades once again,” Barnhart said. “Academics are an important part of our mission and I’m thankful our student-athletes and coaches have embraced that.”**SEE BELOW FOR COMPLETE GRADES BY SPORT**Eighteen of 20 teams posted GPAs of better than 3.0, led by women’s swimming and diving (3.535), women’s golf (3.484), women’s soccer (3.462), softball (3.425) and baseball (3.417). The three UK teams that reached the NCAA Tournament this fall – women’s soccer, volleyball and men’s soccer – all had GPAs of 3.108 or better even though postseason play coincided with the end of the semester.UK’s top-15 basketball teams both excelled academically as well. The women’s team combined for a GPA of 3.335, while the men had a 3.111 GPA.”Our CATS (Center for Academic and Tutorial Services) counselors and tutors do an outstanding job providing our student-athletes with the tools and resources they need to succeed,” Barnhart said. “I am grateful for the role they have played in building the academic culture of this department.”To go with the solid grades in the fall, 31 current and former Wildcats graduated at December commencement. Moreover, UK student-athletes set a school record for graduation rate in the annual report issued by the NCAA in October.The success comes on the heels of one of the top competitive seasons in school history. UK finished 11th in the 2013-14 Directors’ Cup standings, putting the department a year ahead of schedule in the goal to become one of the nation’s top-15 departments as part of the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan. With continued academic success and the current tally of 13 conference or national championships, UK Athletics is positioned to meet all three goals set as part of the plan.