July 8, 2008

AUBURN - Tweleve Auburn gymnasts were honored for classroom excellence by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women as Academic All-Americans and to the SEC Academic Honor Roll and eight AU gymnasts earned both accolades.

All four of last season's seniors, Julie Dwyer, Kayla Gies, Aimee Goheen and Karmen Pinckney, were named both NACGC/W Academic All-Americans and to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Gies, a native of Cox's Creek, Ky., carried a 4.0 GPA while majoring in bio-medical studies. An accounting major hailing from Bloomington, Ind., Dwyer capped off her academic career as a four-time Academic All-American and SEC Academic Honor Roll member. Dwyer concluded her competitive career as a three-time All-American, taking vault runner-up honors in her final NCAA Championships appearance.

As a whole, the 2008 seniors combined for 15 appearances on the SEC Academic Honor Roll and have been named Academic All-Americans nine times.

Claire Seiffert headlined the junior class, earning her third honor as both an Academic All-American and SEC Academic Honor Roll member. The Louisville, Ky., native is majoring in communications. Sophomore Krissy Voss of Phoenix, Ariz., landed on both academic lists for the second time in as many years. Freshman Leah Vinning of Woodstock, Ga., made her first appearance on both lists as well.

In order to be named as an individual scholar athlete by the NACGC/W, student-athletes must possess a 3.5 or higher currently or cumulatively.

Five other AU gymnasts were named to the SEC's Academic Honor Roll: Lauren Brzostowski, Tanya Cwick, Ashley French, A.J. Mills and Carmen Nelms.