Several Student-Athletes also Named to Athletic Association’s All-Academic Teams
When Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) student golfers aren’t on the links recording birdies and eagles, they’re in the classroom tallying up albatrosses and aces. Both the men’s and women’s golf teams have been named 2021-22 Academic Teams of the Year by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). In addition, several student-athletes were also named to the NJCAA 2021-22 All-Academic Teams.
To be named an Academic Team of the Year, the team must average a 3.0 GPA or better. EMCC’s men’s team — Jake Lydic, Carson Turner, Ethan Mesch, Hector Nevarez Bravo, Jacob Shumaker, and Riley Crawford — averaged 3.44, and the women’s team — Kristi Hiatt, Abigail Werner, Emma Hiatt, Allison Jenkins, and Angelina Morado — averaged 3.05.
The NJCAA named 1,061 college sports teams across the country Academic Teams of the Year. EMCC’s men’s golf team ranked 15th out of 64, and the women’s team came in at 24th out of 26.
“I could not be more proud as a coach,” Women’s Coach Jeff Thursam said. “To have a team recognized for their academic performance is the highest honor there is. Being a student-athlete requires an incredible amount of time, sacrifice, talent, and desire. The women’s golf team exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete every day, both in the classroom and on the course.”
To be named to an All-Academic Team, students must have a 3.6 GPA or higher. Students with a 4.0 GPA are named to the All-Academic First Team, students with a GPA of 3.8 to 3.99 make the All-Academic Second Team, and students with a GPA of 3.6 to 3.79 comprise the All-Academic Third Team.
Jake Lydic was named to the All-Academic First Team; Carson Turner made the All-Academic Second Team; and Emma Hiatt, Kristi Hiatt, Ethan Mesch, and Abigail Werner were included on the All-Academic Third Team.
A total of 2,852 student-athletes made the All-Academic First Team, 3,322 were named to the All-Academic Second Team, and 4,221 received third team recognition.