PJC athletes recognized for academics

Published or Revised June 20, 2013

The National Junior College Athletic Association in Colorado Springs, Colo., has recognized two Paris Junior College athletic teams and ten of their players. PJC players have received 2012-2013 NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Awards, and the softball and baseball teams were recognized as 2012-2013 NJCAA All-Academic Team qualifiers. PJC had five baseball players, four softball players and one volleyball player qualify for academic honors. Also qualifying for All-Academic Team were the softball team with an average GPA of 3.35 and the baseball team with an average GPA of 3.25. "Our softball and baseball teams represent excellence both on and off the field," said PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin. "These athletes being recognized for their academic achievement are the epitome of the student-athlete. We are very proud of their achievements." PJC softball player Sarah Smeltzer of Richardson, Texas, received Superior Academic Achievement, and her teammates Clarissa Garcia of Edinburg, Texas, Dara Hendon of Van, Texas, and Samantha Reynoso of Mesquite, Texas, achieved Exemplary Academic Achievement. The superior ranking goes to those having a GPA from 3.80 to 3.99 on a 4.00 scale, and exemplary to those having a GPA from 3.60 to 3.79 on a 4.00 scale. "I am so proud of these girls for being positive representatives both academically and athletically for Paris Junior College," said PJC Softball Coach Nicole Dickson. "These young women excelled on the field and in the classroom. A special thank you to the staff and faculty at PJC for preparing our players academically and helping them grow as student-athletes." Baseball player Matt Johnson of Plano, Texas, led the honors for the baseball team with the Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence. The Pinnacle Award is given for achieving a 4.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale. Teammates Mitchell Bro of Bedford, Texas, Robert Harris of McKinney, Texas, and G.R. Hinsley of Richmond, Texas, received Superior Academic Achievement honors. Justin Eckols of Houston, Texas, received Exemplary Academic Achievement. "This has been a great team both on and off the field," said PJC Baseball Coach Deron Clark. "They have represented our institution in a first-class manner, and it has been a pleasure to be associated with them." PJC volleyball player Sarah Hagan of Tom Bean, Texas, received Superior Academic Achievement. "I am extremely proud of Sarah," said PJC Volleyball Coach Justin Maness. "She went through our biomedical program and kept her grades up while playing volleyball. She is a great example of a student-athlete and was very self-disciplined in the classroom. She has been accepted into pharmacy school at Texas Tech University where she is sure to be a success." This is the 30th year the NJCAA has recognized the success of its student-athletes in the classroom. With minimal changes, the NJCAA academic awards program has been in place since 1983.