Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

16 individuals met the qualifications to earn NJCAA Academic All-America honors

OVERLAND PARK, KAN. --  Two weeks after the Johnson County Community College  athletic department finished third in the Pepsi/NATYCAA (National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators) Cup Awards recognizing program excellence in two-year college athletics at the national level, JCCC’s pursuit of excellence and great tradition were validated when 16 individuals met the qualifications to earn NJCAA Academic All-America honors.  The total number of athletes was highest in the country.  Since 2000, JCCC has produced 77 NJCAA Academic All-Americans in all sports.
    To earn NJCAA Academic All-America By Sport honors, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.60 or better on a 4.0 scale for 45 semester hours or 60 quarter hours.  Distinguished Academic All-Americans must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.80 or better on a 4.0 scale for 45 semester hours or 60 quarter hours.  Of the 16 JCCC student-athletes to qualify, nine earned distinguished All-America status.   
    Cavaliers earning distinguished All-America status were:  Ingrid Bodelson (women’s soccer), Alexis Meinke (women’s track and field), Rebecca Boan (women’s basketball), Patrick Ndambuki (men’s soccer), Kalie Harris (women’s tennis), Lindsey Campbell (women’s track and field), Katie Jeannin (softball), Christine Watson (volleyball) and Katie Jaschke (volleyball).  Academic All-America by sport honorees were:  Lindsey Carpenter (volleyball), Taylor Parker (men’s basketball), Natasha Morris (women’s soccer), Audrey Sherman (women’s tennis), Elizabeth Casey (women’s soccer), Reed Krieser (baseball) and Jamie Lawrenz (women’s tennis).
    In addition, three spring intercollegiate athletic teams were honored for achieving academic excellence.  The JCCC women’s basketball, softball and tennis teams posted grade point averages above 3.0.  In the fall, the men’s cross country team posted the seventh-best grade point average in the country.
    The Johnson County Community College athletic staff knows what to look for in a prospective student-athlete.  To be a Cavalier is to have the determination to succeed – not only on the playing field but in the
classroom as well.  Balancing academic achievement with athletic success is a primary focus of Johnson County Community College athletics.
    “Our student-athletes frequently note that they chose Johnson County not only for its strong athletic traditions but for its outstanding academic reputation,” said JCCC athletic director Carl Heinrich.  “They realize the academic challenges that lie ahead, but understand the importance of strong academic preparation for their future careers.”