Forty-Three SMCC Student-Athletes Earn 2021-22 NJCAA All-Academic Honors
PHOENIX ---
A total of 43 South Mountain Community College student-athletes earned 2021-22 NJCAA All-Academic honors for their work in the classroom. The SMCC women's golf team received NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors after posting a cumulative 3.65 team GPA, and the Cougars had 10 student-athletes earn First Team awards after posting a perfect 4.0 GPA.
To qualify for the first team, a student-athlete must maintain a 4.0 GPA, while a Second Team award entails a 3.80 - 3.99 GPA, and a Third Team honoree must have a GPA between 3.60 - 3.79.
Led by head coach Chelsea Carroll, the SMCC women's golf team had four individuals receive NJCAA All-Academic honors: Emma Fisher (First Team), Gina Benoche (First Team), Aria Baker (Second Team) and Tabitha Bitter (Third Team). On the course, the Cougars finished eighth at the NJCAA Southwest District Championships and freshman Kylie Rehberger earned All-District, All-Region and All-Conference honors for her play.
The SMCC baseball team placed third in the NJCAA Region I with a team GPA of 3.36, and Ryan Figueroa and Carter Krosky received First Team honors. The SMCC softball team was fourth in the NJCAA Region I with a 3.29 team GPA, with Rylie Atherton and Annalise Chavez receiving First Team honors.
The SMCC men's golf team, the 2022 NJCAA Division II National Champions, posted a team GPA of 3.28 to finish second in Region I. The SMCC beach volleyball team finished second in the nation with a team GPA of 3.42, with Madison Cadden receiving First Team honors. The SMCC women's volleyball posted a team GPA of 3.26 and had Cadden on the First Team.
Women's Volleyball (5)
Madison Cadden -- First Team
Gabreya Garcia -- Second Team
Gracie Henderson -- Third Team
Nikole Lunsford -- Third Team
Madison Marcotte -- Third Team
Beach Volleyball (5)
Madison Cadden -- First Team
Kristine Garcia -- Second Team
Nikole Lunsford -- Third Team
Madison Marcotte -- Third Team
Emily Wilson -- Third Team
Women's Basketball (2)
Brea Patterson -- First Team
Daniela Bernal -- Second Team
Baseball (15)
Ryan Figueroa -- First Team
Carter Krosky -- First Team
Nick Wallerstedt -- Second Team
Josaiah Estrella -- Second Team
Matthew Lighthall -- Second Team
Jacob Beltran -- Third Team
Easton Erwin -- Third Team
Charlie Deeds -- Third Team
Alec Stanfield -- Third Team
Connor Schneider -- Third Team
Carter Richey -- Third Team
Brian Leon -- Third Team
Max Maholland -- Third Team
Paul Sachen -- Third Team
Esteban Hernandez -- Third Team
Men's Golf (4)
Zachary Erskine -- First Team
Cecil Belisle -- Second Team
Jake Carlson -- Third Team
Sean Markham -- Third Team
Women's Golf (4)
Gina Benoche -- First Team
Emma Fisher -- First Team
Aria Baker -- Second Team
Tabitha Bitter -- Third Team
Softball (6)
Rylie Atherton -- First Team
Annalise Chavez -- First Team
Christian Smith -- Third Team
Kate Hogan -- Third Team
Lauren Russell -- Third Team
Mariah Martinez -- Third Team
Men's Basketball (2)
Cam Gwyn -- Third Team
Kane Kenyon -- Third Team