Mocs Athletes Post Record GPA

The Chattanooga Mocs just completed a fantastic semester. NIT Championships in men’s basketball and men’s tennis as well as several individual performances in NCAA Tournaments in multiple sports did not dim the focus in the classroom one iota.

The Mocs combined for a 3.4339 grade point average for the spring term, which eclipses 3.421 in the spring of 2020 for the best on record. Of the 299 student-athletes enrolled, 215 made the Dean’s List with 245 total earning A.D. Honor Roll merit.

“It was another impressive semester for our student-athletes,” Vice Chancellor for Athletics Mark Wharton shared. “The work they put in to compete at the highest level in all phases of the collegiate experience is elite and appreciated.

“We thank (Asst. Vice Chancellor) Dr. Emily Blackman and the work of her academic support staff in continuing an impressive run of excellence in the classroom.”

The run includes three consecutive semesters above the 3.30 mark. It’s also the third in a row that every program topped 3.0 or better as a team. There is also the 3.0 run of 14 straight terms for the department as a whole.

Two new records were set in the honor categories.

• 71.9% Dean’s List | Former mark: 71.0%, Spring 2020
• 81.94% A.D. Honor Roll | Former: 81.88%, Spring 2020

Sixty-five earned perfect 4.0 marks is fourth most. That was led by Southern Conference Regular Season Champion softball with 11, while football and soccer added 10 apiece. The top team in spring 2025?

Soccer again proved top of the table with its fourth straight term of 3.70 or higher. The 3.7527 bested women’s golf in second (3.7097). Seven squads – soccer, women’s golf, softball (3.6691), women’s cross country (3.6517), women’s track & field/cross country (3.6047), volleyball (3.5948) and men’s tennis (3.5439) exceeded 3.5 for the semester.

Nine teams improved their strong work from the fall. Women’s golf made the biggest jump of .2180 and was joined by football (.1811) and volleyball (.1213) in exceeding their previous marks by 0.10 or higher.

The Mocs Student-Athlete Academic Enhancement Center has been led by Dr. Blackman since 2010. Lindsey Felix, assistant athletics director, has been a key member of her staff for nearly as long helping guide the unit. Their staff includes assistant director Amber Evans, academic advisors Katie Feeney and Leland Malloy, director of learning services Kaelin King and assistant learning specialist Shantih Crowdis.

The Student-Athlete Study Abroad Experience through the Health & Human Performance program has 13 students set for a 10-day trip to Argentina May 26-June4. The program focuses on developing individual and global citizenship through the lens of leadership and sport while gaining an understanding of the economic, political, cultural and social factors at play in an international context.

Click here to donate to reduce the total cost of $6,000 per student for the course including airfare, lodging, meals and tuition.

Sport-by-Sport Breakdowns

Men’s Basketball – 3.32 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 13 | Dean’s List: 10 | 4.0: 4

• 3.32 is the second-best semester GPA behind 3.36 in spring of 2020.
• This semester’s 3.3299 was .0061 ahead of the 3.3238 registered in the fall. Easily the best academic year in program history.
• Three straight 3.0 semesters for the first time. Eighth total for the program.
• Record four 4.0 students: Frank Champion, Garrison Keeslar, Parker Robison and Bash Wieland. Keeslar and Robison were 4.0 for 2024-25.
• 10 Dean’s List: Frank Champion, Sean Cusano, Honor Huff, Garrison Keeslar, Ryan Lopez, Collin Mulholland, Isaiah Otyaluk, Makai Richards, Parker Robison & Bash Wieland.
• 13 AD Honor Roll: Frank Champion, Sean Cusano, Latif Diouf, Houston Holland, Honor Huff, Garrison Keeslar, Jack Kostel, Ryan Lopez, Isaiah Otyaluk, Makai Richards, Parker Robison & Bash Wieland.

Women’s Basketball – 3.45 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 11 | Dean’s List: 11 | 4.0: 1

• Third-best academic semester on record with all coming in the spring (2020: 3.64/2024: 3.474).
• Jade Moore not only had a 4.0 in spring, she did it for the 2024-25 academic year. The program has had at least one 4.0 student in every semester since fall of 2016 (17 in a row).
• 13th semester with double digits on Dean’s List: Brooke Anya, Masa Buzic, Ava Card, Gianna Corbitt, Takia Davis, Caia Elisaldez, Kalifa Ford, Jade Moore, Karsen Murphy, Sigrun Olafsdottir & Frode Flos van der Schans.
• AD Honor Roll: Brooke Anya, Masa Buzic, Ava Card, Gianna Corbitt, Takia Davis, Caia Elisaldez, Kalifa Ford, Jade Moore, Karsen Murphy, Sigrun Olafsdottir & Frode Flos van der Schans.

Beach Volleyball – 3.35 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 14 | Dean’s List: 12 | 4.0: 3

• 10 straight semesters besting 3.30 GPA.
• Three 4.0 students: McKenna Faychak, Maddie Lecik & Doga Ocal. All three posted 4.0 for the academic calendar.
• 12 on Dean’s List: Jordyn Butler, Neva Clark, Taylor Clark, McKenna Faychak, Paige Gallentine, Kit Gresham, Ansley Gulledge, Julia Lawrence, Maddie Lecik, Madeline McCabe, Doga Ocal & Corina Vale.
• 14 made the AD Honor Roll: Jordyn Butler, Neva Clark, Taylor Clark, McKenna Faychak, Paige Gallentine, Kit Gresham, Ansley Gulledge, Sydney Jackwin, Joy Courtright, Julia Lawrence, Maddie Lecik, Madeline McCabe, Doga Ocal & Corina Vale.

Men’s Cross Country – 3.30 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 6 | Dean’s List: 5 | 4.0: 2

• 32nd semester above 3.0 and 29th at 3.3 or higher.
• Two 4.0 terms: Cash Coggins & Wes Gibbs.
• Dean’s List (5): Cash Coggins, Wes Gibbs, Riley Hanson, Aaron Isbell & Jack Martin.
• AD Honor Roll (6): Cash Coggins, Ian Etheridge, Wes Gibbs, Riley Hanson, Aaron Isbell & Jack Martin.

Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field – 3.65 GPA (XC)/3.60 (T&F) | AD Honor Roll: 26 | Dean’s List: 22 | 4.0: 9

• 25th time the cross country program turned in 3.60 or better, 18th for track & field as a whole.
• Nine 4.0s is a record for cross country: Lola Baker, Lesley Boyd, Sarah Brotton, Taylor Crawford, Michaela Dabney, Kaitlyn Fisher, Lexi Foley, Anna Roberson & Brooke Tyll.
• Two shy of the track & field record with 22 on the Dean’s List: Lola Baker, Leah Boyd, Lesley Boyd, Sarah Brotton, Taylor Crawford, Michaela Dabney, Andrea Ellis, Kaitlyn Fisher, Lexi Foley, Maya McCloskey, Ava McGue, Adelaide McKeown, Aubrey Park, Kennedy Reynolds, Anna Roberson, Ryleigh Simmons, Olivia Steele, Emma Thweatt, Brooke Tyll, Ellie Von Herrmann, Audrey Wade & Maddie Wheatcroft.
• 26 on the AD Honor Roll: Lola Baker, Leah Boyd, Lesley Boyd, Sarah Brotton, Taylor Crawford, Michaela Dabney, Andrea Ellis, Kaitlyn Fisher, Lexi Foley, Norah Haney, Stella Henry, Maya McCloskey, Ava McGue, Adelaide McKeown, Aubrey Park, Kennedy Reynolds, Anna Roberson, Ryleigh Simmons, Olivia Steele, Emma Thweatt, Brooke Tyll, Sarah Unterholzner, Ellie Von Herrmann, Audrey Wade & Maddie Wheatcroft.

Football – 3.25 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 60 | Dean’s List: 52 | 4.0: 10

• Program record GPA.
• The 10 best GPAs in program history have come in Coach Rusty Wright’s tenure (13 semesters)
• 10 4.0 students marked double digits for the program for the fifth time with all five coming in the last five terms: DJ Adams, Battle Alberson, Chase Artopoeus, Gabe Flores, JJ Heath, Kobe Joseph, Alen Karajic, Ryan Merklinger, Kristian Ozane & Nick Paul. Alberson, Artopoeus, Flores & Joseph all had 4.0s for the academic year.
• 52 on Dean’s List. 3rd time with 50+ (52-Spring 2020/54-Fall 2024): DJ Adams, Battle Alberson, Watts Alexander, Chase Artopoeus, Samari Brooks, Will Brown, Erik Bussmann, Gunnar Clary, Matthew Clemmer, Taylor Crumedy, Chris Domercant, Kaelin Drakeford, Jarian Dunlap, Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez, Landon Feggins, Gabe Flores, Bryce Goodner, Hudson Gray, Leroy Harris III, JJ Heath, Gavin Helton, Montrell Henderson, Ryan Ingram, Tracy Jackson, Malachi Jeffries, Heath Jehu, Josh Jones, Kobe Joseph, Alen Karajic, Luke Keith, Gray Kelley, Jude Kelley, AJ Little, Devin Lively, Solomon Locke, John McIntyre, Ryan Merklinger, Ethan Myers, Jules Ney, Camden Orth, Kristian Ozane, Nick Paul, Tee Perry, BJ Ragland, Grant Reid, Luke Schomburg, KJ Sejour, Peter Sesterhenn, Tylor Smiley, CJ Smith, Christian Va'a & Joshua Williams.
• 60 on AD Honor Roll. Fourth time with 60+: DJ Adams, Battle Alberson, Watts Alexander, Chase Artopoeus, Samari Brooks, Will Brown, Erik Bussmann, Gunnar Clary, Matthew Clemmer, Taylor Crumedy, Amanuel Dickson, Chris Domercant, Kaelin Drakeford, Jarian Dunlap, Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez, Landon Feggins, Gabe Flores, Bryce Goodner, Hudson Gray, Daniel Green, Leroy Harris III, Isaiah Harvey, JJ Heath, Gavin Helton, Montrell Henderson, Ryan Ingram, Tracy Jackson, Malachi Jeffries, Heath Jehu, Josh Jones, Kobe Joseph, Alen Karajic, Luke Keith, Gray Kelley, Jude Kelley, AJ Little, Devin Lively, Solomon Locke, John McIntyre, Ryan Merklinger, Ethan Myers, Jules Ney, Camden Orth, Kristian Ozane, Nick Paul, Tee Perry, BJ Ragland, Tyrell Ragland, Grant Reid, Luke Schomburg, KJ Sejour, Peter Sesterhenn, Tylor Smiley, CJ Smith, David Stewart, Ky Tayo, Christian Va'a, Chris Victor, Joshua Williams & Journey Wyche.

Men’s Golf – 3.39 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 10 | Dean’s List: 8 | 4.0: 2

• Fourth-best semester GPA (3.39) and highest since 3.49 in the spring of 2021.
• Two 4.0 students: Camden Braidech & Aidan Cohl. Braidech, a 2025 NCAA Tournament Qualifier, recorded a 4.0 for the academic year.
• Dean’s List (8): Camden Braidech, Dalton Burts, Dalton Chuba, Aidan Cohl, Nick Etherton, Ward Harris, Carson Johnson & Elliott Simonsen.
• Tied program record (Spring 2014) with 10 on the AD Honor Roll (10): Camden Braidech, Dalton Burts, Dalton Chuba, Aidan Cohl, Nick Etherton, Ward Harris, Carson Johnson, Elliott Simonsen, Braedon Wear & Ethan Whitaker.

Women’s Golf – 3.70 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 6 | Dean’s List: 6 | 4.0: 0

• Reached the 3.70 threshold for the ninth time.
• 20th occasion with six or more on Dean’s List: Makenzie Cooper, Alexis Daniel, Violeta Fernandez-Tagle, Giulia Foresta, Kera Healey & Chloe Stevenazzi.
• Six also on AD Honor Roll: Makenzie Cooper, Alexis Daniel, Violeta Fernandez-Tagle, Giulia Foresta, Kera Healey & Chloe Stevenazzi.

Soccer – 3.75 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 24 | Dean’s List: 24 | 4.0: 10

• Best GPA in the department and fourth straight semester at 3.70 or better.
• Program record GPA.
• 6th time with double digit 4.0 students: Ella Attaway, Anna Hussey, Sylvie Keck, Carmya Mastrangelo, Zoey Mize, Hannah Morton, Nicole Solete, Brenna Swiger, Kelly Tuerff & Lilly Kate Varino. Attaway, Hussey, Keck, Solete, Swiger and Varino all had 4.0 over both terms in 2024-25.
• Ninth semester with 20 or more on Dean’s List. Ella Attaway, Savannah Dunahay, Caroline Ekern, Anna Hussey, Naomi Kato, Sylvie Keck, Abbey Marak, Carmya Mastrangelo, Sophia Mize, Zoey Mize, Taylor Morris, Hannah Morton, Betha Pucek, Caroline Richvalsky, Ella Roth, Clarissa Salinas, Nicole Solete, Brenna Swiger, Paige Thomas, Kelly Tuerff, Lilly Kate Varino, Elle Wakefield & Reese Wilson.
• 20 or more on AD Honor Roll for 16th time. Ella Attaway, Savannah Dunahay, Caroline Ekern, Anna Hussey, Naomi Kato, Sylvie Keck, Abbey Marak, Carmya Mastrangelo, Sophia Mize, Zoey Mize, Taylor Morris, Hannah Morton, Betha Pucek, Caroline Richvalsky, Ella Roth, Clarissa Salinas, Nicole Solete, Brenna Swiger, Paige Thomas, Kelly Tuerff, Lilly Kate Varino, Elle Wakefield & Reese Wilson.

Softball – 3.66 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 25 | Dean’s List: 24 | 4.0: 11

• Program record GPA. Second consecutive semester posting a new standard.
• Ninth semester at 3.5 or better.
• Department-high 11 4.0 students is also a team record: Abi Bunt, Anna Dovey, Shayna Glass, Grace Hixson, Alyssa Lavdis, Olivia Lipari, Taylor Long, Abi Pikas, Baileigh Pitts, Emma Sam Reed & Kailey Snell. Bunt, Lipari, Long and Snell all turned in 4.0s for the academic year.
• 24 on the Dean’s List is another new program record: Abi Bunt, Izzy Carlyle, Camryn Cernuto, Lexi Cooley, Anna Dovey, Shayna Glass, Peja Goold, Grace Hixson, Meghan Kernea, Alyssa Lavdis, Olivia Lipari, Taylor Long, Peyton O'Flaherty, Alyssa Orlando, Abi Pikas, Baileigh Pitts, Jayce Purdy, Emma Sam Reed, Acelynn Sellers, Kailey Snell, Presley Williamson & Zoe Wright.
• 25 on AD Honor Roll. Abi Bunt, Izzy Carlyle, Camryn Cernuto, Lexi Cooley, Anna Dovey, Shayna Glass, Peja Goold, Grace Hixson, Meghan Kernea, Riley Lamb, Alyssa Lavdis, Olivia Lipari, Taylor Long, Peyton O'Flaherty, Alyssa Orlando, Abi Pikas, Baileigh Pitts, Jayce Purdy, Emma Sam Reed, Acelynn Sellers, Kailey Snell, Presley Williamson & Zoe Wright.

Men’s Tennis – 3.54 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 12 | Dean’s List: 9 | 4.0: 2

• 10th time the program has reached 3.5 or better for the team GPA. The 3.54 ranks eighth on that list.
• 4.0 students (2): Gabriel Castillo & Kristof Kincses. Kincses was a 4.0 student for the academic year.
• Dean’s List (9): Gabriel Castillo, Carson Gompert, Cortland Grove, Sebastian Johnson, Jakub Jupa, Kristof Kincses, Matej Laibl, Ryan Mudre & Carter Ramthun.
• 12 AD Honor Roll student-athletes makes it 11 of last 12 semesters in double figures. Ethan Carr, Gabriel Castillo, Carson Gompert, Cortland Grove, Sebastian Johnson, Jakub Jupa, Kristof Kincses, Matej Laibl, Jaxon Lamb, Ryan Mudre, Carter Ramthun & Walker Valentine. Twelve ties the program record (set in the fall of 2023.

Women’s Tennis – 3.44 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 8 | Dean’s List: 5 | 4.0: 2

• 25th time posting 3.40 or better as a team including three in a row.
• 4.0 students (2): Rozalie Dohnalova & Alice Hall.
• Dean’s List (5): Zara Burns, Rozalie Dohnalova, Alice Hall, Emma Pedretti & Savannah Presson.
• 100 percent of the roster made AD Honor Roll (8). Zara Burns, Rozalie Dohnalova, Alice Hall, Rufaro Magarira, Margaret Manolache, Madlena Orlova, Emma Pedretti & Savannah Presson

Volleyball – 3.59 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 17 | Dean’s List: 16 | 4.0: 5

• 10th on the all-time list for team GPA and 17th occasion besting the 3.5 mark.
• 4.0 students (5): Finley Hilliard, Cansu Kornosor, Chiara Napoli, Doga Ocal & Elena Vukmanov. Ocal was a 4.0 both terms of 2024-25.
• 10th time with 15+ on Dean’s List (16): Chandler Alter, Marcelle Baez-Carlo, Caiti Barthel, Bailey Burgess, Jordyn Butler, Paige Gallentine, Finley Hilliard, Kynli Kirkendoll, Cansu Kornosor, Mallory Merz, Chiara Napoli, Doga Ocal, Elaine Redman, Gracie Rose, Elena Vukmanov & Destiny Wiggins.
• 14th time with 15 or more making AD Honor Roll (17). Chandler Alter, Marcelle Baez-Carlo, Caiti Barthel, Bailey Burgess, Jordyn Butler, Paige Gallentine, Finley Hilliard, Sydney Jackwin, Kynli Kirkendoll, Cansu Kornosor, Mallory Merz, Chiara Napoli, Doga Ocal, Elaine Redman, Gracie Rose, Elena Vukmanov & Destiny Wiggins.

Wrestling – 3.19 GPA | AD Honor Roll: 20 | Dean’s List: 16 | 4.0: 5

• Best academic year on record with program-record GPA in the fall (3.39) and the spring’s 3.19 ranking fifth.
• 4.0 students (5): Kendrick Curtis, Jackson Hurst, Landon Lewis, Kaleb Snodgrass & Connor Strong. All five were 4.0s for 2024-25 on the whole.
• Dean’s List (16) – 8th time with 16 or more: Blake Boarman, Easton Cooper, Kendrick Curtis, Sergio Desiante, Wyatt Gibbs, Hayden Hughes, Jackson Hurst, Eli Knight, Landon Lewis, Cavarius Liddie, Tre McTorry, Kamdyn Munro, Brody Murray, Kaleb Snodgrass, Connor Strong & Logan Webster.
• AD Honor Roll students (20) – 8th occasion with 20 or more. Blake Boarman, Tavian Camper, Carson Chalk, Easton Cooper, Kendrick Curtis, Dayne Dalrymple, Sergio Desiante, Wyatt Gibbs, Hayden Hughes, Jackson Hurst, Eli Knight, Landon Lewis, Cavarius Liddie, Bryce Luna, Tre McTorry, Kamdyn Munro, Brody Murray, Kaleb Snodgrass, Connor Strong & Logan Webster.