Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
Twenty-three Gadsden State Community College student-athletes recently received National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic honors. A total of 10,267 student-athletes across the nation have been honored for achieving a GPA above 3.60.
In addition, four Gadsden State athletic teams were recognized as NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year by maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA – women’s cross country (3.47), men’s tennis (3.43), women’s basketball (3.37) and women’s volleyball (3.4). Roseanne Green is the coach for women’s cross country, Buster Stewart the coach of the tennis team, Bryan Phillips the coach for women’s basketball and Courtney Brothers the coach for volleyball.
Gadsden State student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA receiving first team honors were Cadence Buchanan from women’s basketball; Jordan Clark from women’s cross country; Savannah Free (pictured above) and Madison Williams from women’s volleyball; Parker Godwin from men’s basketball and Andrew Keeton and Evan Stewart from men’s tennis.
Gadsden State student-athletes with a 3.80 to 3.99 GPA named to the second team include Payton Blevins and Halle Brown from women’s basketball; Lauren Davis, Ziniah Hardy, Sera Beth Potter and Zoe Walker from women’s volleyball; Noah Hefner from men’s tennis; and Lacey Rich from women’s cross country.
Gadsden State student-athletes with a 3.60 to 3.79 named to the third team were Chloe Davidson from women’s cross country; Savannah Seals from women’s basketball; Moriah Seay from women’s volleyball; and Riley Woerner from men’s tennis.
“It’s very rewarding to see our student-athletes excel academically,” said GSCC Athletic Director Blake Lewis. “We are very proud of the athletic achievements and academic excellence as they spend many hours in the classroom, practicing, training and performing community service.”
In addition, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association recently announced the 2023 JUCO Men’s ITA Scholar-Athletes and All-Academic Teams.
Four student-athletes and the men’s tennis team have earned honors for their work in the classroom–qualifying as one of eight ITA All-Academic teams. The tennis team is coached by Buster Stewart.
Noah Hefner, Andrew Keeton, Evan Stewart and Riley Woerner earned honors as scholar athletes. To earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status, a player must be a varsity letter winner, have a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the current academic year and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters, including freshman through senior year.
The ITA All-Academic Team award is open to any member program that has a cumulative team grade point average of 3.20 or above. All eligible student-athletes whose names appear on the NCAA, NAIA or Junior/Community College eligibility form and have competed in one or more varsity matches must average into the GPA for the current academic year.
“It’s an admirable accomplishment to not only excel on the tennis court but also in the classroom,” said GSCC Athletic Director Blake Lewis. “We are extremely proud of the academic accomplishments of this team. They and their coach are to be commended for the honor.”