TUSCALOOSA, ALA - The University of Alabama Gymnastics team continues to reap the benefits of yet another outstanding season with nine gymnasts earning Scholastic All-American honors this week.

The Crimson Tide's latest honors caps off a season that saw them finish third at the NCAA Championships and produce a 3.4 team grade point average. To earn Scholastic All-American honors, awarded by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches, a student-athlete must carry a 3.5 or better GPA.

"This is another outstanding achievement by our ladies," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "At Alabama it is our mandate to excel not just in the gym, but in all aspects of collegiate life. Each of our student-athletes works extremely hard to be the best that they can be and this is certainly proof of that."

Since 2000, Alabama has averaged more than eight Scholastic All-American honors a season, including a program best 13 in 2002, a year that also included the Tide's fourth NCAA Championship.

"These honors are not just an indicator of this year's success, but of the level of success we aspire to on a yearly basis," Patterson said. "It is important to me and to our team that we continue to lead the Southeastern Conference in the academic arena and that we continue to be one of the nation's finest gymnastics programs with a philosophy that incorporates academic excellence, a championship tradition and service to the community."

Cassie Martin and floor exercise All-American Brittany Magee capped their rookie seasons with perfect 4.0 GPAs while fellow freshman Amanda Montgomery posted a 3.97.

Junior Erin Rightley scored a 3.77 GPA and senior Mari-Christine Bayer and freshman uneven bars All-American Melanie Banville had matching 3.73 GPAs. Bayer finishes her Tide career as a four-time Scholastic All-American. Senior Dana Pierce and freshman Bianca Puello produced matching 3.64 GPAs. It was Pierce's second Scholastic All-American honor. Senior Rachael Delahoussaye earned her fourth Scholastic All-American honor with a 3.53 grade point average.

In addition to leading the nation with 21 top-4 national finishes since 1983, Alabama leads the Southeastern Conference with 101 Scholastic All-American honors all-time.

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