INDIANAPOLIS – The University of South Alabama Athletics Department had a record four teams ranked among the top 10 percent of their sport based on the most recent Academic Progress Rates, earning NCAA Public Recognition Awards on Wednesday.

Jaguar programs earning the distinction were men's and women's cross country, men's golf and women's track and field.  It's the second consecutive year that the cross country and track and field squads have been cited.

"It is a tremendous honor for our department to have four teams recognized among the top 10 percent in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rates," said Jason Kelly, South Alabama Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Academic Services.  "Our athletic department focuses each and every day on providing an excellent student-athlete experience that culminates with our student-athletes earning a degree from the University of South Alabama.  This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our student-athletes, as well as to our coaches and support staff who are all committed to providing an atmosphere for success in all areas."

In the classroom, the women's cross country and track and field programs had a total of 25 student-athletes earn Sun Belt Conference academic honors — the Commissioner's List includes individuals with a grade-point average better than 3.5, the Academic Honor Roll those with a 3.0-3.49 mark — during the 2016-17 season.  In the fall both Laura Labuschaigne and Ashley Heitling placed among the top 50 at the at NCAA South Regional after helping the Jags to a third-place finish at the league championship, with 10 individuals recording all-SBC honors at the indoor and outdoor championships as South placed in the top five at both meets.

Seven of nine runners from the men's cross country team received Sun Belt academic recognition after the squad placed in the top half of the standings at the league championship, with Katleho Dyoyi crossing the line among the top 50 runners at the regional meet as well.  USA men's golf was only two shots from qualifying for match play at the SBC Championshipa year ago, and at the end of the season the team had six individuals earn academic honors from the league.

APR scores for all Division I teams will be released May 23. The APR measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or academic term and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each team in every sport.  All teams must meet an academic threshold of 930 to qualify for the postseason and can face penalties for continued low academic performance.

The most recent APRs are multiyear rates based on scores from the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics.  Contributions to the South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give

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