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SALUQI CORNER: Nine Saluqi athletes voted Academic All-American

“It feels great that my hard work has paid off,” said Sarah McKinley, who was recently named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Academic First Team.  Despite a hectic work, class and soccer schedule, she earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Sarah McKinley, National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Academic First Team

Sarah McKinley, National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Academic First Team

“I’m on the go from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,” McKinley said. “It’s hard because I go to school and then after class I practice in the afternoon and then I go to work. Then I stay up late to find time to study whenever I can.”

McKinley, a freshman on the women’s Saluqi soccer team, is among the 9 Saluqis the NJCAA honored for their outstanding work in the classroom. “I was really excited that I got this award.”

Joining McKinley are Second Team honorees Candace Gaines (sophomore, women’s basketball) and freshmen Haley Cook, Blakeleigh Garrison and MaKayla Pugh from the women’s softball team.

Third team selections are freshman Jennie Bryant (softball), freshman Justin Batts (men’s basketball), freshman Cole Howard (baseball) and sophomore Staffany Olivares (women’s soccer). To qualify for third team NJCAA All-Academic, student-athletes had to achieve at least a 3.6 GPA for the 2018-19 academic year.

In addition, Bryant, Cook, Garrison and Pugh were named All-America Scholar-Athletes by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). To qualify for this award, students-athletes needed a GPA of at least 3.5 for the 2018-19 academic year.

Congratulations to our stellar Saluqi athletes on their outstanding academic achievements!

NJCAA All-Academic

First Team

  • Sarah McKinley (women’s soccer) - 4.00 GPA

Second Team

  • Candace Gaines (women’s basketball) - 3.89 GPA
  • Haley Cook (softball) - 3.89 GPA
  • Blakeleigh Garrison (softball) - 3.89 GPA
  • MaKayla Pugh (softball) - 3.85 GPA

Third Team

  • Jennie Bryant (softball) - 3.75 GPA
  • Justin Batts (men’s basketball) - 3.70 GPA
  • Cole Howard (baseball) - 3.70 GPA
  • Staffany Olivares (women’s soccer) - 3.64 GPA

NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete

  • Haley Cook (softball) - 3.89 GPA
  • Blakeleigh Garrison (softball) - 3.89 GPA
  • MaKayla Pugh (softball) - 3.85 GPA
  • Jennie Bryant (softball) - 3.75 GPA