Photo: 2020 Gadsden State graduate and Hokes Bluff native Landon Johnson was one of four GSCC student-athletes recently selected to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s 2019-20 All-Academic first team. (Courtesy of Gadsden State)
A number of Gadsden State student-athletes and two of the college’s sports teams were recently selected to the 2019-20 All-Academic team for both the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Alabama Community College Conference. The NJCAA recognized 15 Gadsden State student-athletes and two athletic teams for their academic achievement, while the ACCC honored 26 GSCC and two athletic teams.
“It’s very rewarding, year after to year, to see our stu-dent-athletes continue to excel academically,” said Gadsden Stte athletic director Mike Cancilla. “This year has seen several highs and lows, ranging from the success of our volleyball team in its quest for a national title to having the season abruptly brought to a halt by COVID-19. We are very proud of all of our athletes and their coaches who play an important part in the success of the student and the athlete.”
To qualify as an academic team, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Gadsden State teams qualifying include volleyball with a 3.17 GPA and men’s tennis with a 3.0 GPA.
Gadsden State players with a 4.0 GPA receiving first team NJCAA honors were Landry Bussey and Gracie West both from women’s volleyball; Landon Johnson from men’s basketball; Landon Macoy from men’s tennis; and Sydney Prater from women’s basketball.
Gadsden State student-athletes with a 3.80 to 3.99 GPA named to the NJCAA second team were Kendrick Buskey from men’s basketball; Alex Ivey from men’s tennis; and China Lane, Madelyn Massey and Leigh-Anna Tralongo from women’s volleyball.
Gadsden State student-athletes with a 3.60 to 3.79 named to the NJCAA third team were Justin Blake and Jac Myrick from men’s tennis; Joan Lang and Grace Nolen from women’s volleyball and Jesse Ralston from women’s basketball.
The Gadsden State volleyball and men’s tennis team made the Alabama Community College Conference’s Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a collective grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Individual Gadsden State student-athletes named to the ACCC honor roll were Shelby Bates, Chi-na Lane, Joan Lang, Madelyn Massey, Grace Nolen, Aubrey Pope, Leigh-Anna Tra-longo and Gracie West from volleyball; Justin Blake, Alex Ivey, Landon Macoy and Jac Myrick from men’s tennis; Christian Blue, Kendrick Buskey, Jacorian Dalton, Corien Frazier, Jeremiah Harris, Landon Johnson, Jalen Taylor and Tyler King from men’s basketball; and Vanessa Carter, Dalayiah Crawford, Deyana Dodd, Maya Langham, Sydney Prater and Jesse Ralston from women’s basketball.