Utes excelling as student-athletes with record GPA

SALT LAKE CITY — Since joining the Pac-12 eight years ago, the Utah athletics programs have shown they can compete in their various athletic events. They’ve also shown they can excel in the classroom as well.

On Monday, Utah achieved its highest fall semester GPA record of 3.295, up from its previous spot at 3.20 last fall. The GPA factors in all 20 athletic teams. Utah also had its best Graduation Success Rate (95 percent) in the NCAA this year.

“I am incredibly impressed with the commitment and drive our student-athletes showed in the classroom while also excelling competitively in the fall semester,” Utah’s director of athletics Mark Harlan said in a statement. “To achieve close to a 3.30…