March 30, 2006

Student-athletes pile up wins, diplomas

When it comes to achievement both on the fields of competition and in class, Northwestern student-athletes continue to run among the nation’s best, according to recent NCAA rankings.

Academic progress

The NCAA’s 2004-05 Academic Progress Rate (APR) data shows six Northwestern programs recording a perfect 1,000 multiyear score. Four other teams rank in the top 10 percent of their sport, giving the University 10 teams that rank at or near the nation’s top.

No Northwestern team has fallen below the 925 “cut” score since the APR was introduced two years ago.

Northwestern also has achieved a 97 percent student-athlete graduation rate for 2005. Thirteen of the Wildcats’ 18 varsity sports from 1995 to 1998 recorded a perfect 100 percent graduation rate.

More wins than losses

As of March 1, seven of North-western’s 13 in-season varsity squads ranked in their respective top-25 polls. Six of those seven rank in the top 15, and three rank in the top 5.

Lacrosse leads the way with a No. 1 ranking, while women’s tennis is No. 4 and fencing is No. 5. Other ranked teams are men’s golf (No. 12), wrestling (No. 13) and men’s swimming (No. 15). Softball rounds out Northwestern’s list of ranked in-season teams at No. 16 in both of its coaches polls.