The Wausau East Lumberjacks were crowned as 2013 Academic State Champions this past weekend at the state tournament in Madison. The award presented annually by the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association recognizes the team with highest overall cumulative grade point average.

East garnered the award with a cumulative GPA of 3.76, edging out the Eau Claire Regis/Chippewa Falls McDonell coop team that finished second with a 3.73 average.

“The majority of our players work very hard on their academics,” said head coach Dan Bauer. “This is one of our big goals every year—to be Academic State Champs. Our seniors really led the way this year, I am very proud of our team for this accomplishment. When we say academics comes first it isn’t just talk, it is a requirement.”

It is the second Academic State Championship for the Lumberjacks who also won the award in 2006 with a 3.74 GPA. Last year the Lumberjacks finished 3rd with a 3.77 GPA.