For most Penn State student-athletes, the goal of succeeding academically is as much of an ambition as performing well athletically.

According to a report issued by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Penn State has the highest graduation rate, at 83 percent, among all public schools for athletes graduating within six years. This exceeds the graduation average of 62 percent for Division I-A schools, and places Penn State sixth within the division.

Scott Kretchmar, NCAA faculty athletic representative, said Penn State's high graduation rate stems from coaches recruiting intelligent athletes, athlete counseling programs and Penn State's high academic standards.

"At Penn State we have higher standards for both grade point average and progress than either the Big Ten or the NCAA," Kretchmar said. "When [student-athletes] choose Penn State ... they know up front that they will face a double challenge: performing at the highest level athletically and doing well in the classroom."

Tim Curley, Penn State athletic director, said coaches have high expectations for their recruits.

"They look for athletes who will be successful in their respective sport and in the classroom as well," he said.

Women's swim team member Megan Palera (sophomore-journalism) said she plans to graduate within four years, despite the amount of time she puts into the team.

"Most of us on the team try to take 15 to 16 credits," she said. "Some girls on the team might have trouble graduating in time if they are required to do an internship or if they have to student teach."

Russ Mushinsky, director of the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student Athletes at Penn State, said the center's staff is dedicated to helping student athletes succeed academically.

"The staff here creates true bonds with the students," he said. "We help and support while they are with us at the university -- from our freshman seminars to our senior seminar."

Mushinsky said the center provides students numerous opportunities for academic help, including freshman seminars, tutoring, study halls and career development services.

Women's gymnastics team member and Schreyer Honors College student Ashley Mehrer (sophomore-actuarial science) said practice, lifting and conditioning take away from time that she could be studying.

She said she has been handling her time well because she has been forced to balance school and gymnastics since she was 10 years old.

"Penn State gives all athletes priority scheduling ... so that we don't end up stuck with classes that conflict with practice," Mehrer said.

Men's cross-country team member Michael Syrnick (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said he was not red-shirted his first year because he wants to graduate in four years.

"It is hard to juggle everything, but they keep you in line here with study halls and other ways of help," he said.

Fencing team member Tamara Najm (sophomore-journalism and French) said she and other athletes face the challenge of traveling for competitions and missing classes.

She said the time commitment involved in attending practices also impedes on her schoolwork.

"Some days it just feels like there are not enough hours in the day to attend all of our required classes, practices and still find time to eat, sleep and do homework or study," Najm said.