Not only does the IC women’s gymnastics team have a national title, 3 state titles, 13 Eastern Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) crowns, and a heap of all-Americans, but it also has Kelly Stevison ’07.

Tim McKinney

A physical therapy major from Virginia, Stevison was one of only two Division III gymnasts named to the Women’s at-Large Academic All-America Team, selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). She now stands among some of the Bombers’ most accomplished student-athletes, with six all-America honors—three in the all-around, two in the vault, one in the floor exercise—and now, this most recent award that honors not only her athletic prowess but her academic excellence as well.

“Kelly always brings the best to Ithaca,” says head gymnastics coach Rick Suddaby. “She excels academically, in interpersonal skills, and in athletics.”

With a GPA of 3.82, Stevison holds the school record in the floor exercise and co-holds (with Crescent Danziger ’07) the vault record with a score of 9.75. She has earned nine all-ECAC honors and is the program’s first three-time all-American in the all-around since a ruling change in 1994. (Before coming to IC, Stevison was the first Virginia high school athlete to score a perfect 10 in varsity competition.)

The Women’s Academic All-America at-Large team recognizes 91 students from bowling, crew, fencing, golf, gymnastics, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, ski, tennis, and water polo at all levels of college sport. They must have a GPA of at least 3.20 and be a varsity starter or key reserve.

“Whenever our team does well, we make a name for Ithaca College,” says Stevison, “especially since we’re a Division III school and don’t get all the attention a Division I school gets. I’m proud to show how great we are and represent Ithaca in that way.”