CEDAR CITY, Utah – The success of Southern Utah Gymnastics isn't limited to the competition floor. Six Flippin' Birds standouts, Ellie Cacciola, Isabella Neff, Brinlee Christensen, Maria Ferguson, Rylee Miller, and Taylor Gull, have been named to the 2025 Academic All-District® Women's At-Large Team, as announced by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA).
In a particularly notable achievement, Ellie Cacciola and Brinlee Christensen have been named finalists for the prestigious Academic All-America® Team, which honors the nation's top student-athletes for their elite performance in the classroom and on the competition floor.
Head Coach Scotty Bauman Said
"This recognition speaks volumes about the character and commitment of our student-athletes. To have six gymnasts earn Academic All-District honors and two advance as finalists for Academic All-America is a testament to their work ethic, time management, and passion for representing SUU the right way on the mat and in the classroom."
The CSC Academic All-America® program honors student-athletes across four divisions—NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA—and includes a highly competitive at-large category that spans numerous sports. Selections are based on academic achievement, athletic performance, and contributions to team success. Nominees must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.
The recognition comes on the heels of a historic season for the Thunderbirds. SUU finished the 2025 campaign ranked 21st nationally, capturing a third straight conference championship and posting top-25 event rankings on vault and floor. Several of the honored gymnasts were key contributors to that success. Cacciola and Christensen earned multiple conference weekly awards, while Neff, Gull, and Miller also made consistent impacts throughout the lineup. All six of the honorees also earned spots on the All-MPSF teams, with Cacciola also being named the MPSF Specialist of the year.
Academic All-America® selections will be announced in the coming weeks.
Follow Us
For all the latest on Southern Utah gymnastics, follow @SUUGym on Twitter, @SUUGymastics on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Gymnastics Facebook page.
Donate
To help support Thunderbird athletics, consider making a donation today! To learn more about how you can support, click here.
