June 16, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College student-athletes had historic seasons in competition but also demonstrated their success in the classroom, with more than 30 earning academic awards.
The Michigan Community College Athletic Association honored two GRCC teams – volleyball and women’s cross country – as All-Academic Teams for having a team GPA of 3.0 or greater. The volleyball team finished with a 3.24 team GPA, and the women's cross country team earned a 3.17.
Audrey Gower and Alena Visnovsky earned perfect 4.0 GPAs to help the volleyball squad earn the award, while Mariah Vos led her cross country team with a 3.88 GPA.
“We’re proud of our student-athletes for what they accomplished,” Interim Athletic Director Dave Selmon said. “Our coaches and staff emphasize the importance of academics so the students can continue being successful long after their playing days are done. I know they worked hard and faced additional challenges due to the pandemic.”
All eight athletic teams had at least one student-athlete recognized on the MCCAA Academic All-Conference team.
To earn MCCAA Academic All-Conference honors, student-athletes must earn at least 24 credits with a 3.0 GPA or higher. The 38 GRCC student-athletes earning this honor are:
Collin Bradley, Bradley Dunn, Ryan Dykstra, Caleb Engelsman, Joseph Hoeks, Jeremy Marble, Brady Owen, Dalton Vander Ark, Matt Williams and Aaron West from the baseball team.
- Kyla Andres, Kaylie Andres, Krin Beach, Taylor Cross and Mikayla Loew from the softball team.
- Kailey Carmean, Audrey Gower, Kara Hecht, Annie Holesinger, Gabrielle Kitley, Kate Stearns and Alena Visnovsky from the volleyball team.
- Shaniah Jones, Erin Kruithoff, Danielle Lamancusa, Abigale Rouwhorst and Trayana Starr-Thurman from the women’s basketball team.
- Breeana Bonnema, Allison Hoop, Carolanne Merlington, Angelis Stewart, Mariah Vos and Alexzandria Webster from the women’s cross country team.
- Ashton Brennan, Jack Kehoe and Noah Peterson from the men’s cross country team.
- Arie Jackman from the golf team.
- Isaiah Guenther from the men’s basketball team.
For Academic All-MCCAA, a student-athlete must earn at least 24 credits with a 3.2 GPA. The 33 GRCC student-athletes earning this honor are:
- Collin Bradley, Bradley Dunn, Ryan Dykstra, Caleb Engelsman, Joseph Hoeks, Jeremy Marble, Brady Owen, Dalton Vander Ark, Matt Williams and Aaron West from the baseball team.
- Kyla Andres, Krin Beach, Taylor Cross and Mikayla Loew from the softball team.
- Kailey Carmean , Audrey Gower, Kara Hech, Gabrielle Kitley and Alena Visnovsky, from the volleyball team.
- Shaniah Jones, Erin Kruithoff and Abigale Rouwhorst from the women’s basketball team.
- Breeana Bonnema, Allison Hoop, Carolanne Merlington, Angelis Stewart, Mariah Vos and Alexzandria Webster from the women’s cross country team.
- Ashton Brennan, Jack Kehoe and Noah Peterson from the men’s cross country team.
- Arie Jackman from the golf team.
- Isaiah Guenther from the men’s basketball team.