July 16, 2007

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's basketball team has had its fair share of success on the court, but now they are reaping the awards off the court as well as they were named the No. 1 Division III team in the nation in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Academic Top 25 released today.

The Cowgirls ranked No. 1 in the nation with a team grade point average of 3.664. The GPA is for the varsity members of the team for the 2006-07 school year. Only one other team in the nation, Division I's South Dakota State with a 3.693, in any division had a higher GPA than the Cowgirls.

This marks the eighth time HSU has been in the top 25, but the first time it has been No. 1. The Cowgirls were the only team in the American Southwest Conference in the top 25.

"We are extremely honored to be number one in the WBCA Academic Top 25. We set it as a goal at the beginning of the year to be number one and we obviously accomplished that goal. It is something we strive for," Hardin-Simmons head coach Shanna Briggs said.

"The girls worked extremely hard and were dedicated to their academics. We've always been a team that has stressed academics and for them to come through on this goal is really a great accomplishment for them."

HSU was 21-5 in 2006-07 and spent most of the year ranked in the top 20 in the nation.

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