Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams at Highland Community College have been honored by being named an Academic Team of the Year by the NJCAA Coaches Association.  The teams also boast 11 student-athletes being named to the NJCAA Coaches Association Academic All-American Team.

Coach Tom Bond’s women’s program had a semester team GPA of 3.440 and had seven athletes named to the Academic All-American Team.  Sophomore Chelsea Gabriel (Grain Valley, MO) led the women’s program with a 4.0 grade point average.  Also being named to the Team were sophomores Riley Hanzlik (Centralia), and Syvannah Williams (Leavenworth), along with freshmen Casey Childress (Hutchinson), Justis Jakes (Jacksonville, AR), Bailey Mister (Owensville, MO), and Alison Nutt (New London, TX).

Coach Chad Clevenger’s men’s program had a semester GPA of 3.271 and had four athletes named to the Academic All-American Team.  Sophomores Chris Essman (Topeka) and Conner Bigham (Hiawatha) led the teams with 4.0 GPA’s.  Freshman John Brunner (Elbing), also had a perfect 4.0.  Demetris Taylor (Killeen, TX) also was named to the All-Academic Team.

NJCAA Track and Field Coaches Association honors its top teams and individuals each year based on the semester of participation.