Warrensburg, Mo. (Oct. 13, 2000) -- Central Missouri State University's softball team has been recognized for having the second-highest team grade-point average among NCAA Division II schools last season by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Coach Rhesa Sumrell's Jennies compiled a team GPA of 3.511 for the 1999-2000 school year and finished just behind Gannon University, which led Division II with a 3.52 team GPA.

Thirteen of the 17 Jennies' team members recorded grade-point averages of better than 3.00 for the 1999-2000 year and five had perfect 4.00 GPAs.

The Jennies were one of four Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association teams to make the Division II list. Northwest Missouri State University was sixth with a 3.451 team GPA, Truman State University was ninth with a 3.40 team GPA and Emporia State University was 25th with a 3.15 team GPA.

The softball team is the second Central Missouri team to receive academic honors for the 1999-2000 school year. Last month the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced its top academic teams and the Jennies' basketball team was second among NCAA Division II schools with a 3.50 team GPA.