NJCAA recognizes 27 LMC student-athletes for academic excellence

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has recognized 27 Lake Michigan College Red Hawk student-athletes for outstanding academic achievement during the 2025-2026 season. 

Of the honorees, four Red Hawks earned First Team recognition with a perfect 4.00 GPA, 10 earned Second Team honors, and 13 earned Third Team honors. The students represent eight of the College's nine intercollegiate athletic programs, with academic honorees in men's and women's soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball, and softball.

“Our student-athletes continue to demonstrate that excellence extends far beyond competition. Their commitment to academic success while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics speaks volumes about their character, discipline, and determination. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and the standard they continue to set at Lake Michigan College," said Sarah Svoboda, LMC Director, Intercollegiate Athletics.

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
Kate Bonds – Softball, Freshman
Carol Brinzan – Men’s Soccer & Men’s Cross Country, Sophomore
Lucy Fuchs – Women’s Basketball, Freshman
Shiloh Rosengren – Women’s Soccer, Freshman

Second Team Red Hawks
Mackenzie Ash – Volleyball, Sophomore
Evelyn Bettig – Women’s Cross Country, Freshman
Ellory Dykstra – Softball, Freshman
Miguel Guerra-Ruiz – Men’s Soccer, Sophomore
Payton Miller – Volleyball, Sophomore
Justin Reif – Men’s Soccer, Sophomore
Ariel Smith – Women’s Cross Country, Freshman
Gabryella Solloway – Softball, Sophomore
Robert Tharp – Men’s Soccer, Sophomore
Miley Young – Women’s Basketball, Freshman

Third Team Red Hawks
Isaque Barbosa – Men’s Soccer, Freshman
Preston Cosby – Baseball, Freshman
Cole Garza – Baseball, Sophomore
Meredith Gordon – Volleyball, Freshman
Rylynn Hein – Women’s Soccer, Freshman
Andrew Leitch – Baseball, Freshman
Lemar Lord – Men’s Soccer, Sophomore
Maxwell Lovins – Baseball, Freshman
Nathan Moore – Baseball, Sophomore
Benjamin Slagter – Baseball, Freshman
Kyler Stratton – Baseball, Sophomore
Mara Webb – Volleyball, Freshman
Mason Wynsma – Baseball, Freshman

For a complete listing of NJCAA academic honorees, see 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.