San Bruno, CA – Saint Mary's student athletes were recognized for their academic accomplishments on Wednesday, as the West Coast Conference announced the seventh annual Commissioner's Honor Roll. Eighty-nine Gaels were acknowledged for their success in the class room, with the award being given to those student-athletes that possess at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

At least one player from each of Saint Mary's 12 WCC sponsored sports earned the recognition, with women's tennis topping the list with 9-of-10 players earning the accolade. Achim Christner from the men's tennis team accumulated the highest GPA of any Gael athlete, posting a 3.98 mark as a Business Administration major.

Seven hundred and forty total student-athletes, who participated in one of the WCC's 13 sponsored sports, were honored from the league's eight member institutions.

"Congratulations to all the members of this year's WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll," said West Coast Conference Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich. "These remarkable individuals are living proof that our WCC member institutions are dedicated to the ideals of the true student-athlete and I commend them for their efforts."

Only grades earned at WCC institutions may be used in calculating the grade point average for this award. To be considered for this honor, student-athletes must meet the following requirements:

1) Individuals must have earned a varsity letter in a sport which the conference determined a champion in the recently completed academic year.
2) The cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 must be based on a 4.0 scale.
3) The individuals must have successfully completed an average of at least 12 graded credit hours (non pass-fail hours) per term.

The Conference recognizes the student-athletes in three separate designations:

1) 4.00-3.75 - Gold Honors
2) 3.74-3.50 - Silver Honors
3) 3.49-3.00 - Bronze Honor