Baseball tops in national GPA
Published or Revised July 23, 2024
For the second year in row, a grade point average (GPA) of 3.88 clinched the number one spot nationally for the Paris Junior College baseball team, according to the National Junior College Athletic Association. The team also achieved a 3.88 GPA last year to be named first in the nation for the sport of baseball.
PJC Softball tied for seventh place with a 3.71 GPA and Women's Basketball made the top 75 programs nationally with a 3.22 GPA.
“We are so proud of the hard work and dedication from all our student athletes here at Paris Junior College," said Dr. Stephen Benson, PJC president. "They work both inside and outside of the classroom, and that dedication shows with all the team and individual honors awarded.”
1,194 teams earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better, and 32 programs received top honors after achieving the highest GPA in their respective sport.
The NJCAA named 55 PJC athletes to the First, Second, and Third All Academic teams.
First Team All Academic
Baseball: Connor Freeman, Cooper Golden, Ethan Guerra, Caleb Jameson, Holden Jatzlau, Keaton Laidley, Jovany Lopez, Braize Mitchell, Luke Noack, Dylan Schlotterback, William Soignier, and Garrett Villa.
Men's Soccer: Stefano Carvajal and Jace Starling.
Softball: Lacie Berecochea, Kadynce Crenshaw, Hailey Evans, Kelsey Kovar, Katherine Rainey, Chloe Randall and Kaitlyn Worsham,
Women's Soccer: Caydence Gonzalez and Tatiana Singhal.
Second Team All Academic
Baseball: Carson Blakeley, Walker Blue, Jackson Braun, Brooks Brewster, Sebastian De La Cruz, Greyson Chappel, Tanner Carlisle, Will Franklin, Preston Gamster, and Garrett Graham.
Men's Soccer: Anthony Cruz and David Rivas,
Softball: Jennifer Battiste and Brooklyn Malone
Women's Soccer: Ciara Johnson and Vyaney Sanchez.
Third Team All Academic
Baseball: Cooper Burgess, Brenan Daniel, Kallen Fletcher, Adam Gillett, Tyler Puckett, Nate Rusher, and Ashten Wong.
Softball: Hayeli Acosta, Isabela Cornell, Grace Pippin, and Tatum Waller.
Women's Basketball: Hope Burks and Bryce Harvey-Carr.
Women's Soccer: Karla Mendoza, Karla Pineda, and Allison Reese.