Gadsden State Cardinal athletes, teams honored by NJCAA

Gadsden, AL – Fifty-two Gadsden State Community College student-athletes have been named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic Teams for 2024-25. The All-Academic Teams recognize student-athletes across the country for their dedication in the classroom.

In addition to recognizing individuals, the NJCAA also awards the Academic Team of the Year for each sport. To qualify as an academic team, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Cardinal teams qualifying include men’s tennis (3.88), women’s cross country (3.60), men’s cross country (3.43), baseball (3.22), softball (3.26) and women’s volleyball (3.52).

NJCAA All-Academic First Team athletes with a 4.0 GPA include Aiden Bee of Clanton, Jackson Jones of Muscle Shoals, Chris McNeil of Chelsea, McKade Watson of Wetumpka and Samuel Wilson of Florence, all from baseball; Jaxson Sizemore of Glencoe from women’s basketball; DeShaun Foster of Alexandria from men’s cross country; Madeline Holt of Jacksonville from women’s cross country; Jasie Brooks of Southside, Emma Croy of Glencoe and Lauren Farmer of Attalla, all from softball; and John David Cunningham of Rome, Ga., Luke Russo of Springville, Elisha Sims of Guntersville, Heath Stinson and Michael Warren of Pell City, all from men’s tennis.

Athletes earning a 3.80-3.99 GPA are named to the Second Team. Cardinal athletes named include Bennett Plowden of Helena, Jacob Steed of Bremen, Ga. and Raeden Sumner of Summerville, Ga., all from baseball; Kolby Battles of Pleasant Valley from men’s basketball;

Alayna Noble of Birmingham and Tyla Tatum of Collinsville, both from women’s basketball;Lane Self of New Hope from men’s cross country; McKinley Kay of Rainbow City and Kaylee Tarpley of Altoona, from women’s cross country; Chloe Gattis and Ava Ramsey of Southside and Kirby Wisner of Sylvania, from softball; Samuel Arnold of Cedartown Ga. and Charles McIntire of Grant, both from men’s tennis; and Allie Bryant of Pleasant Valley, Ellie Carden of Ohatchee and Ella Garmany of Centre, from volleyball.

Cardinal student-athletes with a 3.60 to 3.79 named to the Third Team include Gabriel Brito of Gadsden, Mason Freeman of Madison, Payton Isbell of Moody, Nolan Moore of Leeds, Peyton Parkinson of Birmingham, Walker Thomas of Chelsea, Aaron Wallace of Hueytown, James White of Villa Rica, Ga., and Colton Ziegler of Cincinnati, Oh., all from baseball; Ryan Matthews of Ashville from men’s cross country;  Clancey Bright of Alexandria, Kennadi Johnson of Pell City, and Abigail Payne of Hokes Bluff, from softball; and Emma Earl of Holly Pond, Savannah Hall of Valley Head, Ryleigh Pack of Hazel Green, Lacie Roer from Centre, Rylin St. Clair of Leesburg, and Brianna Williams of Fort Payne, all from volleyball.

“Gadsden State is investing in people and not just in athletes,” stated Dr. Blake Lewis, athletic director and head baseball coach at the college. “Our coaches and staff dedicate themselves diligently to helping our student-athletes develop the skills necessary to become well-rounded students first and competitive athletes second. Success can be evaluated through various metrics, and we take great pride in witnessing these young individuals accomplish their objectives, excel academically, and advance to become valuable members of our community.”

For more information about Gadsden State Athletics, visit GoCardinals.GadsdenState.edu.