Several athletic teams representing East Central Community College in Decatur have been recognized for academic excellence on the national level.
The women’s fast-pitch softball and men’s tennis squads were named 2010 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Spring All-Academic Teams of the Year, and the Lady Warrior tennis squad is a co-recipient of the academic honor, according to a news release from the national office located in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Approximately 340 teams qualified for academic team accolades and more than 1,300 student athletes met requirements for individual academic recognition, said Mark Krug, NJCAA director of sports information and media relations.
Regarding the ECCC recognition, athletic director Chris Harris stated, “It’s an honor and a privilege to have athletes perform well in the classroom and athletically. It’s a reflection of the efforts of our student athletes, our instructors and our coaches that provides opportunities for our student athletes as they enter the next stage of their education.”
The Lady Warrior softball team claimed the top academic spot after posting a 3.69 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, edging Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala., which had a 3.68 GPA.
Team members and their respective high schools include Morgan Malone, Madison Central; Sierra Farlow, Lauren Nicholas, Abbie Joiner, Emily Breland and Hailey Chisolm, all of Neshoba Central; Summer Alexander, Brittney Cochran and Kasie Buckley, all of Newton County; Olivia Maher, East Ascension High School, Gonzales, La.; Shelby Smith and Paige Holsen, both of Union; Chelsea Jones, Enterprise; Taylor Bailey, Bowie High School, Austin, Texas; and Hannah Lee, Leake Academy. Managers were Monica James of Leake Academy and Sydney Tucker of Neshoba Central.
Scott Hill, who serves as head coach, said of the award: “This is quite an honor that recognizes our young ladies for their efforts in the classroom as they have shown a tremendous work ethic this year on and off the field. We are so proud of the way they have represented this institution, our program and themselves. I know I speak for the entire team and athletic program as I express thanks to the fine East Central instructors who work with our players throughout the school year.” Kristin Chaney serves as assistant coach.
The ECCC softball team recently completed its most successful season in school history by finishing fourth in the 2010 NJCAA Division II Softball Tournament held May 20-22 in Normal, Illinois. The Lady Diamond Warriors, who finished 47-11, advanced to the national competition after winning the Region 23 crown.
The Lady Warrior tennis team also posted a 3.69 grade point average to share academic honors in the sport with Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College.
Team members and their respective high schools include Hannah Peoples and Abby McMillan, both of Newton County Academy; Ashley Walker, Union; Rachel Ramirez and Sami Elkins, both of Forest; Elise Gibbs, Newton County; and Anna Alexander, a home-schooled student from Little Rock.
The men’s tennis team captured the academic award with a 3.39 grade point average, edging Rockland Community College of Suffern, New York, which posted a 3.33 GPA.
Squad members and their respective high schools include Colton Amis, Darius “Dee” Walker, Jason Hancock and Richie Ferguson, all of Newton County; Will Marston, Matt Griffin, Garret Moore and Zac White, all of Union; Danny Smith, Carthage; and Walter Stinson and Nathan Calvert, both of Neshoba Central.
“I’m really proud of these students….they worked hard and deserved the recognition,” said Dianne O’Neill who coaches both squads with assistance from her husband, Patrick O’Neill, and Kyle Watson.
The Lady Warrior soccer team was earlier named an NJCAA Fall Academic Team of the Year by posting a 3.45 grade point average, edging Navarro College of Corsica, Texas, which had a 3.43 GPA.
Team members and their respective high schools include Laurel Burnett, Neshoba Central; Kathryn White and Sarah Costello, both of Northeast Lauderdale; Brooke Boulton, Jessy Harrison, Polly Vaughn and Monica Vincent, all of Newton County; Alanna Fairchild and Liz Withers, both of Neshoba Central; Marcia Guerreiro, Richland; Jasmine Buclon, New Albany; Lisa Tubby, Philadelphia; Brandy Greer, Carthage; Jacqueline Pionan, Jerupang International, Labuan, Malaysia; Anna-Rose Blaylock, Newton County Academy; Mamie Shannon, a home-schooled student from Philadelphia; and managers Jarvis Jordan of Long Beach and Jesus Martinez of Grenada.
Kenneth Thompson serves as head coach and Brooke White was his assistant for the fall 2009 term.
The Lady Soccer Warriors also won the top academic award in 2005 with a 3.51 grade point average.
ECCC student athletes earlier announced as NJCAA Distinguished Academic All-Americans - those with at least a 3.8 grade point average – included tennis players Abby McMillan of Newton County Academy, and Elise Gibbs and Jason Hancock, both of Newton County; softball/basketball player Hannah Lee of Leake Academy; softball player Brittney Cochran of Newton County; and soccer players Brandy Greer of Carthage, Jared Mullins of Faith Christian School in Tupelo and Mamie Shannon, a home-school student from Philadelphia.
Student athletes chosen NJCAA Academic All-Americans for maintaining at least a 3.6 grade point average included football team member Jordan Vance of Trinity Episcopal in Natchez, and soccer player Alanna Fairchild and golfer Griffin Burke, both of Neshoba Central.
To qualify as NJCAA Academic All-American, student athletes must have completed three semesters of work college work and participated in at least one athletic season.
Recipients of the national academic honors will be featured in the NJCAA publication, JUCO Review.