(Peru, Neb.) – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced that over 2,000 teams have earned the distinction for Scholar Teams for the 2019-20 academic year.

For the first time in Peru State history, eight of the Bobcat teams earned the recognition. All six of the women's teams – which included cheer for the first time since they were a competitive team – earned the honor. In addition, the men's basketball team was recognized for the second year in a row and the baseball team was honored for the second time in three years.

The Bobcat women's golf team had the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) for a Peru State team for the fifth straight year in a row. The golfers had a cumulative GPA of 3.766.

The other Peru State women's teams honored were volleyball – 3.601, basketball – 3.517, cross country – 3.379, cheer – 3.364, and softball – 3.107.

The baseball team had a team cumulative grade point average of 3.150 while the men's basketball team had a team GPA of 3.131.

For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar-Team award, it must have a minimum 3.0-grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average includes all eligible varsity student-athletes.

Peru State's new athletic director Wayne Albury was pleased with the official announcement. He stated, "To once again have the most teams ever to be recognized is quite an accomplishment by our athletic programs. Our student-athletes understand the term 'student-athlete' and have worked hard to earn this honor."

Albury added, "In addition, the composite for the entire department was a 3.072. To have all of our student-athlete have a cumulative gpa above a 3.0 for the second year in a row is quite an accomplishment."