Lee University coach John Maupin was thrilled when his young women’s
golf team finished 10th in the National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics (NAIA) National Tournament, but those feelings reached an
all-time high after his Lady Flames were named the 2010-11 NAIA
Scholar-Team of the Year on Thursday.  

Comprised of only
freshmen and sophomores, the Lady Flames finished in the top spot with a
3.86  grade point average during the 2010-11 academic year. A record
total of 934 teams were honored, making the accomplishment loom even
more impressive.

Members of the amazing squad are Kristin Bourg,
Geandra Almeida, Amanda DeJiacomo, Chelsea Rakestraw, Courtney Shelton
and Sloane Skinner. As a freshman, Almeida was selected as an NAIA
All-American. Shelton, also a freshman, was named to the National
All-Tournament team and recently finished second in the prestigious
Women’s State Amateur tourney.

“Our team is so honored to be
receiving this award,” said Maupin after receiving the news. “It is
certainly something to be proud of. This is really a testament to each
of the girls, and just how hard they work in the classroom. It is very
challenging to be a student-athlete, but our girls do a great job of
balancing both, golf and school.”

Lee Athletic Director Larry
Carpenter took the opportunity to heap special praises on the women’s
golf team. “This has been a year of records and firsts for Lee Athletics
and this certainly is one of our top accomplishments. We stress
academics to our coaches and athletes and take pride in their
achievements, but to earn the distinction of being the No. 1 academic
team in the country is a tremendous honor.”

Carpenter added, “It
is a testament to coach Maupin’s recruiting, bringing in student
athletes who are focused on academics as well as their sport. To be a
third-year program, finishing in the Top 10 at the national tournament
and be recognized as the top scholar team, leads me to believe our
program is headed in the right direction. I am so proud of these young
ladies and what they’ve accomplished this year.”

The AD was quick
to point out that eight other Lee teams were honored by the NAIA for
their work in the classroom. The list includes coach Don Jayroe, women’s
cross country and indoor and outdoor track teams; coach Andrea Hudson,
volleyball; coach Matt Yelton, women’s soccer; coach Marty Rowe, women’s
basketball; coach Emily
Russell, softball; and coach Maupin, men’s golf.

Joining Lee to round out the top five were Bryan College, women’s cross country (3.83); Mount
Vernon
Nazarene (Ohio), women’s cross country (3.81); Iowa Wesleyan volleyball
(3.80); and tied for the fifth spot is Shorter (Ga.) women’s golf
(3.79) and Hastings (Neb.) volleyball (3.79).

Biola (Calif.),
Concordia (Neb.) and Hastings had the most teams represented by a school
(18). Over 12% of the schools receiving the award had a 3.5 or higher
grade point average.

For a team to be considered for the NAIA
Scholar Team award, it must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a
4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average
includes all varsity student-athletes certified as eligible.