Athletes named to NJCAA All-Academic Team

Twenty-seven Illinois Valley Community College athletes earned a spot on the 2023-24 National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic Teams, which recognize student athletes across the country for their dedication in the classroom.

More than 12,200 athletes were honored for achieving a grade point average (GPA) above 3.60.

“Playing intercollegiate athletics is a huge time commitment, and many of the athletes compete in multiple sports, have jobs, and belong to other college and community organizations,” said Athletic Director Cory Tomasson. “The degree of involvement and motivation of many of these athletes in truly amazing and they contribute so much to the college.”

First Team Academic All-Americans are: Charlee Bourell, tennis; Colin Hart, soccer; Elizabeth Browder, softball; Emma Garretson, volleyball; Isabella Lambert, soccer; Maddy Klicker, softball; Marissa Vickers, tennis, and Olivia Shetterly, volleyball.

Second Team All-Americans are: Alex Stremlau, tennis; Ella Sibert, softball/volleyball; Emma Augustine, softball; Emma Walker, tennis; Katie Bates, softball/volleyball; Kendall Schmidt, baseball/soccer; Lyan Gonzalez, soccer; Maddy Pangrcic, softball; Roko Jurasovic, basketball; Roko Kegalj, basketball, and Taylor Wetsel, volleyball.

Third Team All-Americans are: Brandon Novotney, baseball; Christian Yepsen, cross country; Justus Mason, baseball; Kristy Hoang, cross country; Logan Brandner, tennis; Morgan Clements, soccer; Thomas Swartz, baseball, and Wade Menard, baseball.

The criteria for the three All-Academic Teams are: First Team – 4.00 GPA; Second Team – 3.80-3.99 GPA, and Third Team – 3.60 -3.79 GPA. A total of 3,424 athletes earned a spot on the First Team, while a total of 4,013 athletes were named to the Second Team, and 4,808 were named to the Third Team.

IVCC’s softball, women’s tennis and volleyball teams also were among the Teams of the Year nominees, among nearly 1,200 teams across the nation that earned at least a 3.0 GPA.

To learn more about IVCC Athletics, visit https://www.ivcceagles.com.