08/01/24
Cardinal athletes, teams honored by NJCAA
Gadsden, Ala. – Forty Gadsden State Community College student-athletes have been named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic Teams for 2023-24. The All-Academic Teams recognize student-athletes across the country for their dedication in the classroom. A total of 12,245 student-athletes across the nation have been honored for achieving a GPA above 3.60.
In addition to recognizing individuals, the NJCAA also awards the Academic Team of the Year for each sport. To qualify as an academic team, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Cardinal teams qualifying include men’s tennis (3.42), women’s cross country (3.28), baseball (3.24) and women’s volleyball (3.21). Head coaches are Buster Stewart, men’s tennis; Jackson Millander, women’s cross country; Blake Lewis, baseball; and Courtney Brothers, volleyball.
NJCAA All-Academic First Team athletes with a 4.0 GPA include Aiden Bee of Clanton, Andrew Hardy of Pell City, Brant Stringer of Attalla, Chris McNeil of Chelsea, Cody Russell of Lawrenceville, Ga., Mason Freeman of Madison and Tyler Mays of Winfield, all from baseball; Kaitlyn Hill of Blountsville, McKayla Bean of Gadsden and Jaxson Sizemore of Glencoe, all from women’s basketball; DeShaun Foster of Alexandria and Travis Cooley of Lincoln, both from men’s cross country; Jordan Clark of Arab from women’s cross country; Lauren Davis of New Market and Sera Potter of Ashville , both from women’s volleyball.
Athletes earning a 3.80-3.99 GPA are named to the Second Team. Cardinal athletes named include Hunter Humphries of Attalla, Charlie Jones of Oneonta, Nick Ford of Roswell, Ga., and Robert Templin of Troy, all from baseball; Kolby Battles of Pleasant Valley from men’s basketball; Kamron Palacio of Cedartown, Ga., and John David Cunningham of Rome, Ga., both from men’s tennis; and Ella Garmany of Centre from women’s volleyball.
Cardinal student-athletes with a 3.6 to 3.79 named to the Third Team include Brendon Byrd of Gulf Shores, Brandon Fears of Snellville, Ga., Blake Hall of Hazel Green, Trent House of Phenix City, Jonathon Isbell of Moody, Chase Saul of Pelham, Josh Smith of Conyers, Ga., and Colton Willmon of Helena, all from baseball; Keria Johnson of Hokes Bluff, McKinley Kay of Glencoe and Gabrielle More of Trussville, all from women’s cross country; Neely Damron of Birmingham from women’s basketball; Ziniah Hardy of Southside from women’s volleyball; and Samuel Arnold of Cedartown, Ga., Elijah Lones of Hazel Green, Charles McIntire of Grant and Heath Stinson of Pell City, all from men’s tennis.
“Gadsden State is investing in people and not just in athletes,” said Lewis, who also serves as the College’s athletic director. “Our coaches and staff work tirelessly to assist our student-athletes in gaining the skills to be well-rounded students first and competitive athletes second. Success can be measured in so many different ways, and we are so proud to see these young people achieve their goals, excel academically and go on to be a productive member of our community.”
For more information about Gadsden State Athletics, visit GoCardinals.GadsdenState.edu.