Jackson College student-athletes have once again demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and in competition, earning recognition through the NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Awards.

The Jets women’s bowling team was named an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year. With a combined team GPA of 3.38, the Jets outpaced all other women’s bowling teams in the nation! In addition to their top ranking, they also received recognition as an NJCAA Women’s Bowling Academic Team of the Year.

Bowling Coach Steve Sears says success starts with recruiting.

“We always look for good character — players who are respectful and have good grades in high school — then we look at the bowling aspect. When I take students and families on a tour of the campus, I stop at the Student Success Center and explain the tutoring available and answer any questions they may have.

“I also tell them we have three priorities: No. 1 is school and everything that goes with it, No. 2 is bowling, and No. 3 is everything else. Nothing interferes with school, and everything else doesn’t interfere with bowling. During the season, I give them reminders about the Success Center’s availability. If there are any issues with classes, I talk with them and ask, ‘What is your plan going forward?’ We’ll discuss that as well. Athletic Director Courtney Ivan will also check on them and let me know if someone is struggling. Then I get with the student and talk it through. I feel we have pretty darn good kids! Coach Horodecki and I are so proud of all their accomplishments.”

Assistant Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Rick Smith shared his perspective:

“Academic and athletic performance go hand in hand. Your goals of achievement must be the same — that will help your future endeavors as a student-athlete. Success in the classroom equals success in competition!

“As a coach, you must stress academics and hard work in the classroom. The coaching staffs at Jackson College echo the same values, and the results we see each year from our athletes reflect those efforts.”

Several Jets teams earned academic honors for the 2024–25 academic year:

• Baseball – 3.07 team GPA
• Women’s Basketball – 3.33 team GPA
• Men’s Cross Country – 3.35 team GPA
• Women’s Cross Country – 3.39 team GPA
• Men’s Golf – 3.31 team GPA
• Volleyball – 3.13 team GPA

NJCAA All-Academic Team individual recognitions are awarded by the following criteria:

• First Team: 4.00 GPA
• Second Team: 3.80–3.99 GPA
• Third Team: 3.60–3.79 GPA

Individual Award Recipients:

First Team (4.00 GPA):

• Monica Gazdecki – Volleyball (Court), Freshman
• Gracen Hager – Volleyball (Court), Freshman
• Caleb Niese – Baseball, Sophomore
• Caden Oliver – Baseball, Sophomore
• Jahni Walker – Women’s Basketball, Sophomore

Second Team (3.80–3.99 GPA):

• Zoandria Bamm – Women’s Basketball, Sophomore
• Jessica Bennett – Women’s Basketball, Freshman
• Dylan Berrios – Baseball, Freshman
• Nathan Blondke – Men’s Cross Country, Freshman
• Eric Bonser – Men’s Golf, Freshman
• Kaylona Butler – Women’s Basketball, Sophomore
• Sara Hock – Volleyball (Court), Sophomore
• Amber Johnson – Women’s Bowling, Freshman
• Cooper Johnston – Men’s Basketball, Sophomore
• Cooper Johnston – Men’s Golf, Sophomore
• Joseph Miller – Men’s Soccer, Freshman
• Sydney Nichols – Women’s Bowling, Freshman
• Rebecca Pace – Women’s Soccer, Freshman
• Ciara Poole – Women’s Soccer, Sophomore
• Jason Sierakowski – Baseball, Freshman
• Serenity Wieszciecinski – Women’s Soccer, Freshman

Third Team (3.60–3.79 GPA):

• Grace Burg – Volleyball (Court), Freshman
• Jaxon Copas – Baseball, Freshman
• Taniya Fuqua – Women’s Cross Country, Freshman
• Owen Gammons – Men’s Soccer, Freshman
• Sarah Hoop – Women’s Cross Country, Freshman
• Allison Jarchow – Volleyball (Court), Sophomore
• Gracie Kerr – Women’s Basketball, Freshman
• Gabe King – Baseball, Freshman
• Levi Lane – Baseball, Sophomore
• Serenity McIntosh – Women’s Basketball, Freshman
• Jessica Scott – Women’s Basketball, Sophomore
• Evan Sloan – Men’s Basketball, Freshman
• Alivia Smith – Volleyball (Court), Sophomore
• Alyssa Stewart – Women’s Soccer, Sophomore
• Haley Wallace – Women’s Bowling, Sophomore
• Samantha Wynn – Volleyball (Court), Sophomore