A number of Northern Oklahoma College Maverick athletes and two teams were recognized for academic achievement during the 2018-19 academic year.
Twenty-five athletes were recognized while the baseball and women's soccer programs were recognized for team accomplishments.
Mavs baseball finished 4th in overall GPA while women's soccer was 25th.
"The NJCAA recognition of our student-athletes and our athletic programs is well deserved," said NOC Athletic Director Jeremy Hise. "First and foremost, it is a reflection of the commitment and effort of our student-athletes. They commit to the challenging demands to be both a student and athlete."
"It is also a reflection on the values and culture established by all of the coaches, faculty and staff who work with our student-athletes at Northern," Hise added. "These are the individuals who challenge, inspire, motivate and encourage our student-athletes during their time here. Our student-athletes and athletic programs are fortunate to have so many people who care about the future of these young men and women that extend well beyond their playing days."
Mavs baseball coach Ryan Bay said, "I'm very proud of my team's academic accomplishments. They've embraced the term student-athlete and what it means to pursue excellence on and off the field."
Women's soccer coach Jade Ovendale echoed Bay's comments.
"I am very proud of our teams GPA this academic year," said Ovendale. "Their dedication to their studies is a credit to them and I'm happy we received recognition for this. They have showed great commitment to their studies and it shows. Some members of our team are taking some difficult classes and are maintaining strong GPA's."
The following Mavs were listed on the first three NJCAA Academic All-American Teams:
First Team (4.00 GPA) – Tahanee Bennell (women's basketball), Chase Bridges (baseball), Bryan Burgos (baseball), Cale Francis (baseball), Seth Martin (baseball), Alex Moore (baseball), Luke Quick (baseball).
Second Team (3.80 – 3.99 GPA) – Collin Armstrong (baseball), Britt Brown (baseball), Ashton Francis (baseball), Benjamin MacNaughton (baseball), Hannah Maples (women's basketball), Aylin Nunez (softball), Emily Poindexter (softball), Jaime Ponce (men's soccer).
Third Team (3.60 – 3.79 GPA) – Jenna Chassie (softball), Garrett Crone (baseball), Megan Deshazo (women's soccer), Eric Gutierrez (baseball), Madeline Kindred (women's soccer), Cristhofer Monje (men's soccer), Savannah Nelson (women's soccer), Emma Peak (women's soccer), Allison Roberts (softball).
Student athletes from around the nation contributed to a new NJCAA record as 6,656 participants earned a spot on one of the three NJCAA All-Academic teams. This year's record eclipsed the previous mark of 6,329 set in the 2017-18 academic year.
"Year in and year out, NJCAA student-athletes continue to set a new standard both on the field and in the classroom," stated NJCAA President & CEO Dr. Christopher Parker. "The 2018-19 academic year was no different as student-athletes raised the bar once again to reiterate the importance of academics throughout the NJCAA. As an association, we take tremendous pride in knowing that our student-athletes put their best foot forward each day to become well-rounded members of their team, their campus, and their communities."