Two PJC teams named All-Academic

Published or Revised June 30, 2014

For the second year in a row, scholar-athletes at Paris Junior College have brought home the designation of 2013-2014 All-Academic Teams from the National Junior College Athletic Association. Both the baseball and softball teams were recognized, as well as several individual players. There were 3,705 teams in 28 different sports competing in the NJCAA during the 2013-2014 academic year. Teams had to achieve above a 3.0 on a 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) scale to earn the accolade. PJC's softball team earned a cumulative GPA of 3.34. "These girls are a great representation of what Paris Junior College and the softball program are about," said PJC softball coach Angel Castro. "They are committed, hardworking young women both in the classroom and on the field." PJC's baseball team had a cumulative GPA of 3.33. "Our team stepped up in the class room as well as on the field," said PJC baseball coach and athletic director Deron Clark. "This is our second consecutive Academic All American Team honor and the players are buying into the challenge of earning this award and getting their academic careers started on the right foot. Each player and their families should be very proud of the accomplishments this team has earned." In addition to the team honors, four PJC baseball players earned individual academic recognition. Those earning the title of Exemplary Academic Achievement for GPAs between 3.6 and 3.79 include: Connor Lee of Magnolia; Mathew Lusk of Texarkana; Ryan Pulsifer of Frisco; and Harrison Spruiell of Shreveport, Louisiana. Several PJC softball players had the GPAs to be recognized, but were not sophomores which was also required. The NJCAA has been annually recognizing the academic success of student-athletes for 31 years.