WILMINGTON, N.C. - For the second consecutive year, UNC Wilmington has posted an outstanding graduation success rate (GSR) of 90 percent, including eight teams with a perfect 100 percent mark in the NCAA's litmus test for academic success in the classroom.

      In figures released Wednesday by the NCAA, UNCW continued its long track record of producing top-flight student-athletes. More than half of the school's teams achieved the exemplary 100 percent standard.

      "Obviously, I'm very proud of our student-athletes," said Kelly Mehrtens, UNCW's athletic director. "Our student-athletes are serious about achieving success at every level. They work extremely hard to prepare themselves for what the future holds. This is also a tribute to all of the hard work of assistant athletic director for academics Sandy Williford and her staff."

      Overall, UNCW stands fifth out of the state's 17 NCAA Division I institutions, trailing only Davidson (97), Duke (97), Wake Forest (93) and Elon (91) in the rankings.

      UNCW also finished second only to William & Mary in the listing of the Colonial Athletic Association's 12 schools. W&M checked in with a 95 percent GSR, compared to UNCW's 90 percent.

      In the detailed study, UNCW's men's basketball, men's golf, men's soccer, men's swimming and diving, women's golf, softball, women's swimming and women's tennis each achieved a 100 percent graduation rate.

      The GSR, introduced seven years ago, was developed by the NCAA as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. Under the GSR calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing transfer students who leave in good academic standing. Wednesday's numbers are based on the four entering freshmen classes in NCAA Division I from 1998-99 through 2001-02.