CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah Flippin' Birds continued to set a championship standard in the classroom, with 22 student-athletes earning Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Scholastic All-America honors for the 2025-26 academic year.
The academic achievement follows another standout season for Southern Utah, as the Flippin' Birds captured their fourth consecutive conference championship, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Regionals, and finished the season ranked No. 30 nationally.
Southern Utah also ranked among the nation's best academically, finishing eighth in the country in team GPA and fifth nationally in the percentage of its roster earning WCGA Scholastic All-America honors.
The WCGA recognized 1,195 student-athletes nationwide who posted a 3.5 GPA or better during the 2025-26 academic year, representing 77.15 percent of all reporting gymnasts. The national average GPA was 3.6339, the second-highest average since records became available in 2015.
For the Flippin' Birds, the 22 honorees further demonstrate the culture of excellence that has become a hallmark of the program under longtime head coach Scotty Bauman.
"I'm incredibly proud of the work our student-athletes put in away from the gym," said Bauman. "The discipline, time management, and commitment it takes to compete at this level while succeeding in the classroom says a lot about the character of this team. These academic accomplishments are just as meaningful to us as what we accomplish in competition."
The academic recognition adds another chapter to a 2026 season that saw Southern Utah excel across every area of the program. The Flippin' Birds led the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation on every event, produced the conference Gymnast and Freshman of the Year for the third consecutive season, collected 21 weekly conference awards, and earned 20 All-MPSF honors.
Southern Utah also continued its remarkable postseason consistency, making its 14th consecutive NCAA Regional appearance and advancing to the second round. The Flippin' Birds capped their final season in the MPSF with a third straight conference championship before beginning the transition to the Pac-12 Conference in 2027.
The 22 WCGA Scholastic All-America honorees provide another measure of the program's continued growth and consistency, reinforcing that the championship standard extends well beyond the competition floor.
"We talk a lot about being excellent in everything we do," Bauman said. "Our student-athletes understand that being a Flippin' Bird means being committed to excellence in the gym, in the classroom, and in everything they do. Seeing 22 of them earn this recognition is something our entire program can be proud of."
The Flippin' Birds now turn their attention toward the 2027 season and their move to the Pac-12, carrying with them a championship tradition that continues to be reflected both athletically and academically.
About the WCGA
The Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association is a membership-led, professional association representing the nation's intercollegiate women's gymnastics coaches within Division I, II & III of the NCAA and the NAIA. They work to promote and elevate the sport at all levels of collegiate competition.
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