NJCAA recognizes 27 Lake Michigan College student-athletes for academic excellence Red Hawk volleyball and softball spotlighted for team academic success

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - Two Lake Michigan College teams and 27 student-athletes across various sports have been honored by the National Junior College Athletic Association for outstanding academic achievement during the 2024-2025 season.

"These students prove that academic and athletic excellence go hand in hand," said LMC Dean of Student Life and Engagement Melissa Grau. "Their dedication in both the classroom and on the field reflects the caliber of student-athletes we have at Lake Michigan College."

The LMC Red Hawk volleyball and softball teams have been named 2024-2025 NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year. To be included on the list, a team must earn a collective 3.0 or greater GPA and meet all other NJCAA qualifications. The volleyball squad attained a 3.24 team GPA, while the softball team achieved a 3.09 team GPA.

The 27 LMC Red Hawk student-athletes named to the NJCAA All-Academic Team have been recognized for individual academic achievement. To receive All-Academic Team recognition, a student must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.60 or greater while completing at least 24 credit hours during the academic year. GPA requirements are:

NJCAA All-Academic First Team: 4.00 GPA

NJCAA All-Academic Second Team: 3.80-3.99 GPA

NJCAA All-Academic Third Team: 3.60-3.79 GPA

First Team Red Hawks

Mackenzie Ash – Volleyball, Freshman

Carol Brinzan – Men’s Soccer, Freshman

Kaylee McDaniel – Volleyball, Sophomore

Second Team Red Hawks

Breanna Franks – Softball, Sophomore

Savannah Karver – Softball, Sophomore

Ashley McKenney – Softball, Sophomore

David Nichols – Men’s Basketball, Freshman

Justin Reif – Men’s Soccer, Freshman

Ariana Velazquez-Garcia – Women’s Cross Country, Freshman

Tania Villegas – Women’s Cross Country, Sophomore

Alayna Wells – Softball & Volleyball, Freshman

Third Team Red Hawks

Olivia Baker – Women’s Soccer, Sophomore

Easton DeMeulenaere – Baseball, Sophomore

Miguel Guerra-Ruiz – Men’s Soccer, Freshman

Jessica Hand – Volleyball, Sophomore

Kade Johnson – Baseball, Sophomore

Benjamin Klann – Baseball, Sophomore

Lemar Lord – Men’s Soccer, Freshman

Morgan Lowell – Women’s Cross Country, Freshman

Kaylynn Manyen – Volleyball, Freshman

Ben Meyers – Baseball, Freshman

Nathan Moore – Baseball, Freshman

Finn Siewert – Men’s Soccer, Freshman

Gabby Solloway – Softball, Freshman

Liam Troutner – Men’s Cross Country, Freshman

Yael Vargas-Reyes – Men’s Soccer, Sophomore

Skyler Wolfe – Baseball, Sophomore

For a complete listing of NJCAA academic honorees, visit NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year, and NJCAA All-Academic Teams.

About Lake Michigan College Athletics 

Lake Michigan College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) and currently fields nine intercollegiate Red Hawk teams: men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s baseball, and women’s softball. All sports are based on the College’s Benton Harbor campus.