LACEY, WA — The Saints finish first in all three major categories (overall, men's, and women's) and take home the 2023-2024 GNAC Academic All-Sports Trophy, presented by Barnes & Noble College.

While the Saints have taken home first place in individual categories in previous years and have consistently been competing for top spots, winning all three categories in the same year is a first for Saint Martin's University Athletics. The Saints claim the overall title for the first time since 2012-2013 with 136 total scholar-athletes, with 78 Women's competitors and 58 Men's competitors, which was good for first across the board. It is a tremendous testament to the work that the institution's athletes put in on the field of competition and in the classroom, along with the incredible support systems they have in place to help them succeed in all areas of life. Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Stephen Parker recognizes this, stating that "I know our student-athletes work extremely hard both on and off the court, so it is wonderful to see their academic achievements being rewarded with these honors. I'm so proud them!"

In individual sports, Saint Martin's also topped GPA lists in Women's Cross Country (3.80) and Women's Golf (3.77). Women's Soccer finished second on the year with a 3.54 team GPA alongside Men's Basketball with a 3.39 team GPA. The Saint Martin's Baseball (3.38), Men's Golf (3.04), Men's Soccer, (3.33), Men's Track & Field (3.22), and Softball (3.52) teams finished third in the conference in their respective sports.

These accomplishments are a prime indicator of the growing success of the athletic department and university as a whole, as Athletic Director Steve O'Brien points out:

"In May, we celebrated the conclusion of an academic year that witnessed a remarkable level of competitive success across multiple sports. To simultaneously attain this level of academic achievement is a testament to our student-athletes' dedication in the classroom, and our coaches' placing a high value on academic success. It's been many years since the Saints have produced such impressive results in both arenas. As a department, we are clearly headed in the right direction!"

The Saints look to keep this momentum rolling into the 2024-2025 academic year. Read the full release here.