The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) recently announced its 2002-03 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for Divisions I, II and III. The awards recognize the nation's highest team grade-point averages for the 2002-03 season based upon nominations submitted by WBCA-member coaches.

"It's incredible to see the GPAs each Top 25 team produces year in and year out," said Beth Bass, the chief executive officer of the WBCA. "These teams set a precedent among student-athletes and deserve to be recognized for their accomplishment."

Indiana State University, coached by Jim Wiedie, earned top honors in Division I, posting a team GPA of 3.639. Wiedie's team also produced on the court, winning the school's first Missouri Valley Conference championship and tying the school mark for wins in a season with 22. Deb Patterson's Kansas State University squad finished second with a 3.490 GPA and Wendy Schuler's Eastern Washington University team was third at 3.449.

In Division II, coach Carol Russell's team at the University of Nebraska at Kearney compiled a 3.723 GPA, earning first-place honors. "Academics is my team's top priority," said the second-year coach who guided her squad to a 23-4 record last year. Dowling College, coached by Fran Arato, and Ferris State University, coached by Tracey Fisk, tied for second with GPAs of 3.604.

The Division III winner was Whitworth College. Coach Helen Higgs' team compiled a 3.573 GPA while winning the Northwest Conference title. Melissa Bruner's Coe College team placed second (3.560) and Kathy Morris' Adrian College squad finished third (3.538).

The complete Top 25 in each division
follows.

Division I

1. Indiana State, 3.639; 2. Kansas State, 3.490; 3. Eastern Washington, 3.449; 4. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3.429; 5. Belmont, 3.423; 6. Lehigh, 3.415; 7. Robert Morris, 3.405; 8. Tennessee-Martin, 3.397; 9. Valparaiso, 3.394; 10. Wyoming, 3.383; 11. Oakland, 3.380; 12. Weber State, 3.374; 13. Quinnipiac, 3.355; 14. Northern Iowa, 3.341; 15. Northern Illinois, 3.321; 16. (tie) Boise State and Creighton, 3.315; 18. Nevada, 3.283; 19. Sacred Heart, 3.278; 20. Duquesne, 3.270; 21. Columbia, 3.263; 22. Central Michigan, 3.259; 23. St. Francis (Pennsylvania), 3.249; 24. St. Bonaventure, 3.237; 25. Alabama, 3.228.

Division II

1. Nebraska--Kearney, 3.723; 2. (tie) Dowling and Ferris State, 3.604; 4. Abilene Christian, 3.592; 5. Pittsburg State, 3.582; 6. California (Pennsylvania), 3.564; 7. Regis (Colorado), 3.555; 8. Davis & Elkins, 3.531; 9. Wayne State (Nebraska), 3.529; 10. Drury, 3.516; 11. St. Cloud State, 3.500; 12. South Dakota, 3.482; 13. Northern Kentucky, 3.461; 14. Western State, 3.457; 15. Ashland, 3.449; 16. Fort Hays State, 3.444; 17. Southwestern Oklahoma State, 3.420; 18. Northwest Missouri State, 3.400; 19. Central Missouri State, 3.399; 20. Mesa State, 3.397; 21. Augustana (South Dakota), 3.391; 22. West Liberty State, 3.364; 23. Angelo State, 3.359; 24. Rockhurst, 3.346; 25 Slippery Rock, 3.336.

Division III

1. Whitworth, 3.573; 2. Coe, 3.560; 3. Adrian, 3.538; 4. Villa Julie, 3.488; 5. Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 3.485; 6. Messiah, 3.460; 7. Webster, 3.448; 8. Ripon, 3.440; 9. Wartburg, 3.426; 10. Baldwin-Wallace, 3.419; 11. Skidmore, 3.417; 12. Hardin-Simmons, 3.412; 13. St. Thomas (Minnesota), 3.405; 14. Moravian, 3.402; 15. Albion, 3.396; 16. Ohio Northern, 3.383; 17. Wellesley, 3.375; 18. Suffolk, 3.370; 19. Emory, 3.365; 20. North Park, 3.360; 21. Bowdoin, 3.342; 22. Rensselaer, 3.331; 23. (tie) Clarke and Roger Williams, 3.316; 25. Mount Holyoke, 3.314.