ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ Student-Athletes Named to NJCAA All-Academic Teams

Student-athletes at ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ continued a strong tradition of success in the classroom in the 2019-2020 academic year, with 20 students named to national all-academic teams.

The recently named student-athletes to its All-Academic First, Second and Third Teams, and 20 members of landed on the prestigious lists honoring students for distinguished academic performance.

“We’re proud of these student-athletes for their academic success, particularly in a year where they overcame the stress of a pandemic and transitioned to taking courses in a distance learning format,” said ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ President Dr. Brian Durant. “Succeeding at such a high degree in the classroom while also dedicating yourself to competing in one or more sports is an incredible accomplishment. Congratulations to all these student-athletes, and we’re confident they will continue to achieve at such a distinguished level.”

“Being named to the NJCAA’s all-academic teams is a tremendous achievement that shows the dedication of our student-athletes,” said ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ Athletic Director Pete Liddell. “They push themselves on the field or court, but they know that working toward and earning their degree is the most important part of being a student-athlete. We couldn’t be prouder of their commitment and accomplishments.”

Student-athletes who earn a minimum overall grade-point average (GPA) of 3.6 are eligible to be named to the NJCAA’s all-academic teams.

ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ softball player Makayla Titus, of Auburn, was the lone Spartan to earn NJCAA All-Academic First Team by earning a 4.0 GPA in both the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters.

ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ student-athletes who made the NJCAA All-Academic Second Team, which requires a GPA of 3.8-3.99, are:

  • Lorenz Behrendt, Berlin, Germany: Men’s Soccer;
  • Cassandra Brown, Union Springs: Women’s Lacrosse;
  • Daniel Burdaspar, Pamplona, Spain: Men’s Soccer;
  • Connor Carr-Mathews, Auburn: Baseball;
  • Jenna Fields, Skaneateles: Golf;
  • Eric Gatewood, Auburn: Baseball;
  • Daisy Townsend, Auburn: Women’s Soccer and Women’s Lacrosse.

ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ student-athletes who made the NJCAA All-Academic Third Team, which requires a GPA of 3.6-3.79, are:

  • Dennis Bates, Oswestry, England: Men’s Soccer;
  • Matthew Devlin, Belfast, Northern Ireland: Men’s Soccer;
  • Alfie Hipwell, London, England: Men’s Soccer;
  • Vladimir Kopchev, London, England: Men’s Soccer;
  • Samantha Lackey, Seneca Falls: Women’s Lacrosse;
  • Zac Legarretta, Auburn: Baseball;
  • Victoria Mandel, Basom: Women’s Soccer, Women’s Basketball and Softball;
  • Zach Nickerson, Union Springs: Baseball;
  • Abdias Puac-Perez, Aurora: Men’s Soccer;
  • Joshua Smith, Limauady, Northern Ireland: Men’s Soccer;
  • Katelyn Stoddard, Auburn: Women’s Soccer and Softball;
  • David Wilson, Ancaster, Ontario: Baseball.

The student-athletes who made the NJCAA’s all-academic teams were also named NJCAA Region III Academic All-Region, along with ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ men’s basketball guard Jacob Ramirez, of Bronx. The NJCAA Region III Academic All-Region requires a minimum GPA of 3.5.

For more information about ÌìÃÀÖÆ×÷¹û¶³ÊÓÆµ’s athletic programs, visit .