The National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced today the Top All-Academic Teams, based on cumulative grade-point averages submitted by NFCA member head coaches for the 2005-2006 academic year. The University of Kentucky softball team placed 20th in the nation with a team GPA of 3.317.

The Wildcats had 10 players named to the Southeastern Conference honor roll last season in Samantha Allen, Meghan Cooper, Ashley Dimkich, Ashley Fertic, Gina Florence, Megan Glenn, Amy Kendall, Brooke Marnitz, Lori Melchi and Jenny Sibert.

The University of Rio Grande led NAIA and all college divisions with a 3.750 GPA. Macalester College garnered the highest Division III GPA with a 3.660 mark, while St. Bonaventure University (3.590) and Grand Canyon University (3.604) led Divisions I and II, respectively.

?I am so proud of this team. They have really set their priorities right and have made great strides both on and off the field,? said head coach Eileen Schmidt.

2005-06 Academic Scholar-Athlete Division I Team GPAs

1. St. Bonaventure ? 3.590
2. Drake ? 3.510
3. Lehigh ? 3.493
4. Detroit-Mercy ? 3.481
5. South Carolina ? 3.463
6. Coastal Carolina ? 3.457
7. Gardner-Webb ? 3.430
8. Eastern Michigan ? 3.419
9. Baylor ? 3.409
10. Delaware State ? 3.400
11. Jacksonville ? 3.393
12. Marshall ? 3.391
13. Southern Illinois ? 3.374
14. North Florida ? 3.360
15. Saint Louis ? 3.360
16. Florida ? 3.350
17. Maine ? 3.349
18. Mississippi State ? 3.330
19. Harvard ? 3.321
20. Kentucky ? 3.317
21. Indiana State ? 3.314
22. Hartford ? 3.310
23. Middle Tennessee State ? 3.300
24. St. John?s ? 3.299
25. Evansville ? 3.293