57 MCC Student-Athletes Earn NJCAA Academic Honors
MERIDIAN, Miss.—Meridian Community College is proud to celebrate the academic achievements of its student-athletes for the 2024–25 school year, with 57 individual student-athletes earning spots on the NJCAA All-Academic Teams, and several MCC athletic programs also receiving national academic recognition.
"These awards highlight what we strive for every day—excellence in every area," said Sander Atkinson, MCC Athletic Director. "Our student-athletes continue to impress us with their dedication and drive, and we're proud to see their work in the classroom recognized nationally."
The NJCAA All-Academic Teams honor individual student-athletes who meet or exceed a 3.60 GPA:
First Team: 4.00 GPA
Second Team: 3.80–3.99 GPA
Third Team: 3.60–3.79 GPA
First Team (4.00 GPA)
Alexa Shirley (Women's Soccer), Allie Loftin (Softball), Bailey Csaszar (Women's Soccer), Camry Johnson (Softball), Cayden Alexander (Women's Tennis), Corbin Gillentine (Baseball), Elizabeth Shirley (Women's Tennis), Jana Lengfeld (Women's Soccer), Julie Amacher (Softball), Katie Hayes (Women's Soccer), Lainey Briggs (Softball), Lillie Pate (Women's Volleyball), Lilly Hollingsworth (Women's Tennis), Makenna Borne (Softball), Marlee McCalister (Softball), Mary Coumbe (Softball), Paige Berry (Softball), Sara Bounds (Women's Tennis), Taylor Denton (Women's Volleyball), Taylor Hamilton (Women's Volleyball)
Second Team (3.80–3.99 GPA)
Allison McCoy (Women's Volleyball), Anna Pidgen (Women's Soccer), Aracely Villafranca (Women's Soccer), Brandon Brown (Men's Soccer), Bruce McClung (Men's Golf), Daniel Espin (Men's Tennis), Ember Johnson (Women's Soccer), Hannah Buckley (Softball), Katherine Bounds (Women's Tennis), Kayla Jones (Women's Volleyball), Lauren Smith (Women's Soccer), Madelyn Parker (Women's Volleyball), Marlee McCalister (Softball), Megan Heggie (Women's Swimming), Presley Black (Softball), Raegan King (Softball), Rylee Turner (Softball), Sara Watson (Softball), Simon Ojeda (Men's Tennis)
Third Team (3.60–3.79 GPA)
Andrew Prejean (Baseball), Arlee McClellan (Softball), Blake Young (Baseball), Brayden Martin (Baseball), Brennon Wright (Baseball), Brett Busbea (Baseball), Case Thurston (Baseball), Connor Gehr (Baseball), Currie Jones (Baseball), Doby Bartling (Baseball), Dowe McGowan (Baseball), Hannah Capello (Softball), Joel Smith (Baseball), Matthew Cochran (Baseball), Nathan Trochessett (Baseball), RaMiyah Price (Softball), Ridge Jackson (Baseball), Ryan Carpenter (Baseball), Tyler Keys (Baseball)
In addition to the individual academic success, nine MCC athletic teams earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Honorable Mention, an honor reserved for programs maintaining a 3.00 or higher team GPA. The teams recognized include:
Men's Tennis – 3.57
Softball – 3.53
Women's Tennis – 3.51
Women's Volleyball – 3.40
Baseball – 3.36
Women's Soccer – 3.20
Women's Swimming & Diving – 3.14
Men's Golf – 3.14
Men's Cross Country – 3.11
"Our student-athletes are excelling in every way," said Dr. Tom Huebner, President of Meridian Community College. "They compete hard, lead well, and commit to their academics. This recognition from the NJCAA proves that our coaches and athletes are doing things the right way—and we couldn't be more proud."
MCC congratulates all of its student-athletes and athletic teams for their hard work and continued success both on the field and in the classroom.