News
NJCAA Recognizes CCC Student-Athletes
August 5, 2025
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has recognized a record 53 Central Community College student-athletes for academic achievement during 2024-25. The 53 CCC honorees surpasses the previous record of 42 in 2023-24.
Student-athletes who earned a 4.0 GPA were named NJCAA All-Academic First team, while those who posted a GPA of 3.80-3.99 were named NJCAA All-Academic Second Team. The NJCAA All-Academic Third Team is comprised of student-athletes who finished with a GPA of 3.60-3.79.
The CCC men’s soccer team led the way with 19 student-athletes earning NJCAA academic honors followed by softball and women’s soccer with eight apiece. Shotgun sports, volleyball and women’s basketball each had five honorees. Golf and men’s basketball respectively had three and two.
The Raiders had five teams that earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors for posting a combined 3.0 GPA or better. Volleyball posted a 3.58 GPA while men’s soccer sported a 3.54 GPA. Softball posted a 3.50 GPA and women’s basketball women’s soccer each posted a 3.20 GPA.
Additionally, the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) honored six CCC student-athletes for their academic performance during the spring 2025 semester. They are Andrew Burnett, Henry Gonzalez, Issac Gustafson, Zackary Hollingsworth, Benjamin Musick and Caleb Smith. The NJCAAE serves as the official governing body for two-year college esports.
“Our student-athletes continue to uphold the academic excellence and culture we’ve built at CCC,” said Mary Young, director of athletics. “We’re incredibly proud of their dedication in the classroom, knowing it prepares them with skills and knowledge that will sustain them for life.”
The following is a list of each sport and each team members’ specific honor:
Golf
BEATRICE: Carter Murphy, 2nd team;
MEAD: Colby Sorenson, 3rd team;
NORTH BEND: Jacob Wright, 3rd team;
YUTAN: Jude Elgert, 2nd team.
Men’s Basketball
ROBINSON, Ill.: Loll Cooper, 2nd team;
LATROBE, AUSTRALIA: Ronan Parker, 1st team.
Men’s Soccer
COLUMBUS: Kay Ortiz, 3rd team;
LEXINGTON: Ezequiel Lucas-Reynoso, 3rd team and Ernesto Vargas-Hernandez, 3rd team;
OMAHA: Paco Barajas, 3rd team; Steven Esquivel, 1st team; and Donvan Williams, 2nd team;
INDEPENDENCE, Mo.: Xander Shepherd, 2nd team;
KANSAS CITY, Mo.: Mayson Victor, 2nd team;
BATH, ENGLAND: Arlo Stone, 1st team;
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: Tomas Estrada, 1st team;
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO: Eduardo Garcia Ruiz, 1st team and Emiliano Garcia Ruiz, 2nd team;
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Fitzroy McLeod, 3rd team;
LEIKEITIO, SPAIN: Joseba Zabala, 2nd team;
LIEGE, BELGIUM: Antonio Merola, 1st team;
LIMA, PERU: Cristtopher Montejo, 2nd team;
LOS ANDES, CHILE: Rodrigo Silva, 3rd team;
SALVADOR, BRAZIL: Pedro Costa, 1st team;
TOKYO, JAPAN: Yuki Yasui, 2nd team;
VALLADOLID, SPAIN: Jaime Zani, 3rd team.
Softball
AMHERST: Claire Kreutzer, 1st team;
COLUMBUS: Hannah Dahlke, 2nd team and Danica Taylor, 1st team;
EAGLE: Lily Krajewski, 1st team;
GENOA: Delaney Reeg, 3rd team;
KEARNEY: Kamira Kaskie, 1st team;
PRAGUE: Haley Johnson, 1st team.
Shotgun Sports
BURWELL: Nicholas Brodsky, 2nd team;
HASTINGS: Bryan Shafer, 2nd team;
JUNIATA: Tayte Rogers, 3rd team;
WESTERN: Schyler Schwisow, 3rd team;
YORK: Syras Boston, 1st team.
Volleyball
AUBURN: Olivia Swanson, 2nd team;
COLUMBUS: Josie Bentz, 1st team;
CEDAR RAPIDS: Ashtyn Heikes, 1st team;
HASTINGS: Lauryn Scott, 1st team;
ORD: Ali Miller, 1st team.
Women’s Basketball
BAYARD: Lexi Fiscus, 1st team;
GENOA: Delaney Reeg, 3rd team;
GORDON: Ajae McKimmey, 3rd team;
ITHACA: Janie Munter, 1st team;
WALTHILL: Sylvia Valentino, 2nd team.
Women’s Soccer
EAGLE: Lily Krajewski, 1st team;
GRAND ISLAND: Jade Thompson, 3rd team;
LINCOLN: Olivia Hind, 2nd team;
PLEASANT DALE: Ava Fisher, 1st team;
NAMIR, BELGIUM: Lea Cordier, 1st team;
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND: Lois Taylor, 3rd team;
ST NEOTS, ENGLAND: Talia Gisonni, 3rd team;
STEVENAGE, ENGLAND: Ellie Bates, 1st team.