Wallace State athletics has seven teams earn NJCAA All-Academic honorable mention status
HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State Community College athletics had seven teams recognized Monday as National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Academic honorable mention teams, a week after a record 41 student-athletes at the college earned individual academic recognition.
Wallace State’s women’s tennis team compiled a school-best 3.71 grade point average (GPA) with Nicki Rakestraw and Molly Whitlock each earning individual recognition.
The college’s men’s tennis team put together a cumulative 3.43 GPA along with winning a conference championship in the program’s first season since 2004. Tony Franklin coaches both the women’s and men’s tennis teams.
Wallace State’s volleyball team compiled a cumulative 3.39 GPA during the 2016-17 year after winning an eighth consecutive conference championship. August Newberry, Emily Wilson, Macy Smith, Kaylee Maddox, Jamie Pittman, MaKenzie Bearden, Kati Thomas and Abby Borden each earned individual recognition. Wallace State volleyball is coached by Randy Daniel.
Wallace State’s women’s basketball team compiled a conference-best 3.29 GPA with players Morgan Higgins, Alex Lowery, Ahziala Wright, Jasmine Hollis and Karlie Hudson each earning individual recognition. Ron Burdette coaches the women’s basketball team.
The Lions’ softball team put together a 3.25 GPA under first-year coach A.J. Daugherty. Players Abby Connally and Jodie Farnetti each had a 4.0 for the softball team, which won the program’s 11th conference title.
Wallace State’s baseball team compiled a conference-best 3.22 GPA after five players earned a 4.0 GPA: Kolby Robinson, Heath Olive, Wallace Henry, Blake Schilleci and Palmer Ford. Wallace State baseball is coached by Randy Putman.
Rounding out the NJCAA All-Academic honorable mention teams at Wallace State is the women’s golf team. The Lady Lions had a cumulative 3.04 GPA. Dan York is the women’s golf coach.
A team has to achieve a 3.0 GPA to be designated as a NJCAA All-Academic honorable mention team. Thirty-six percent of all ACCC teams achieved the minimum grade point average of 3.00.
The NJCAA presented 25 squads with Academic Team of the Year honors for the best GPA in the nation in their respective sports. According to the NJCAA, a total of 740 teams posted a 3.0 GPA or higher, breaking the previous record of 687 set last year.
For the full list of individual winners, visit www.njcaa.org
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit http://athletics.wallacestate.edu/
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8443 direct
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu