TRAPPER ATHLETICS DOMINATE ACADEMIC HONORS
Strong performances on the court were backed by strong performances in the classroom for Northwest College athletics, as all six teams made the All-Academic team list with cumulative team GPAs over 3.0, and 52 athletes were named individually to the All-Academic honors list.
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
Strong performances on the court were backed by strong performances in the classroom for Northwest College athletics, as all six teams made the All-Academic team list with cumulative team GPAs over 3.0, and 52 athletes were named individually to the All-Academic honors list.
"It's the first time since I've been here that we've had all six teams above a 3.0," athletic director Brian Erickson said. "I think it shows the coach's commitment to academics … This year I think our coaches put a huge commitment to it. Our graduation rates were even higher. I think a lot of that goes to our coach's recruiting. Getting the right kids that fit Northwest College, that want to get an education, want to be in our community and they want to compete."
Leading the way as the top GPA at Northwest College was the volleyball team, which finished with a 3.84 average, second in the nation, just .01 behind Trinity Valley Community College.
Individually, the Trapper volleyball team had seven first team All-Academic honors, all of whom finished with 4.0 GPAs.
Those athletes were Jordynel Anderson, DanniKa Barfuss, Tilli Danczyk, Burkelle Field, Brooke Larsen, Holland Stowe and Taylor Wilson.
Second team All-Academic honors go to athletes who finished with a 3.8-3.99 GPA.
Those athletes included Ellie Baumstarck, Alexis Grgich and Aidann Mottishaw.
Third team All-Academic honors go to athletes who finished with a 3.6-3.79 GPA.
Taylee Carlson was recognized for both volleyball and basketball, along with Sierra Kilts and Kennedy Oman as the final volleyball players honored.
Erickson said the importance of academics to the Trappers helps them win in several areas while recruiting, showing athletes can attend Northwest to get a good education as well as win at the next level.
"A coach can go 'yeah, we won this many matches or games, but we also won in academics too, because we put a focus on it.' It shows the coaches' seriousness and that they're a student first and an athlete second," Erickson said.
The next highest average among Northwest teams was women's soccer, finishing 21st in the nation and the top team in Region IX with a 3.54 average.
First team honors went to Anina Gut and Juliana Hidalgo.
Second team honors went to Nayelli Aguayo, Tessa Hyland, Elli Lewis, Savannah Morton and Kassidi Webb.
Third team honors were awarded to Aubree Fisher, Ashley Measles and Pressly Taylor.
Men's soccer followed with a 3.46 GPA, 12th in the nation and second in Region IX behind Central Wyoming College.
Individual second team honors went to Axel Lopez and Enrique Martinez Collado.
Third team honors went to Shota Akima, Harvey Bolland, Juan Cabezas, Lucas Davies, Tetsuya Emura, Luc Haller, Nick Hertling, Joseph Hughes, Sascha Knebel, Djordy Lefevere, Shay Lonergan and Thiago Santos Bayer.
Just behind the men's soccer team was the women's basketball team, finishing with a 3.38 GPA, 49th among women's basketball teams and fifth among Region IX teams.
Second team honors went to Bianca Silva and Selen Ucak while Sydnee Harris, Emma Pique and Jai'La Porter.
Men's basketball finished with a 3.28 GPA, 23rd overall and second among Region IX teams just behind Central Wyoming.
Ruben Bos was the lone first team honoree, while Kaden Christensen, Carter Clark and Trey Rinn were named to the second team and Drew Larson was named to the third team.
The wrestling team finished with a 3.22 GPA, third in the nation, as Region IX had three of the top four wrestling teams.
Second team honors individually went to Jackie Meador, Robby Ortega, Dustin Rhoades and Jesse Thornton while Austin Richens was named to the third team.
Along with national honors, Erickson said that there were 38 men's All-Region honors for academics, including 21 soccer, 10 wrestling and seven basketball; along with 35 women's honors, 13 soccer, 13 volleyball and nine basketball.
Erickson said that they will continue to emphasize academics moving forward, potentially helping with recruiting.
"Every year it's something that I ask for and I know our coaches do. I think it can separate us a little bit with recruits sometimes," Erickson said. "If you're winning in competition and you're doing the right things academically, it could change the decision of a potential recruit of deciding they're going to go to another school and if they are going to come here."