Otero Athletes Named to NJCAA All-Academic Teams

Description: The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) honors both athletic and academic achievement in student athletes at the junior college level. Otero College proudly recognizes 54 students who were individually honored for in the 2020-2021 year.


Published: 07/20/2021
Byline: Hart

Otero Athletes Named to NJCAA All-Academic Teams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE .................................................................. July 20, 2021

LA JUNTA — Each year, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) recognizes student-athletes for their dedication in the classroom by naming them to the NJCAA All-Academic Teams. This year, Otero College had a total of 54 students qualify for 2020-21 All-Academic Teams.

Student-athletes are eligible to earn academic honors by achieving an overall GPA of 3.60 or higher for the 2020-21 academic year. The criteria for the three All-Academic teams are listed below:

  • 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

13 Otero students met the qualifications for First Team (GPA of 4.0):

Baseball: Tyler Hamill, Nolan Marthaler, Tyler Scheler

Men's Soccer: Gianluca Mazza, Taketo Onodera

Softball: Jillian Bishop, Kyleigh Espinoza, Pricilla Gallegos, Allie Hobbs, Makayla Keck

Volleyball: Avery Bouldin, Ingrid Ferrari

Women’s Basketball: Gracey Lay

16 Otero students met the qualifications for Second Team (GPA of 3.80-3.99):

Baseball: Kalob Padilla, Isaiah Romero

Men’s Golf: Chazz Vigil

Men’s Soccer: Paul Nitsch, Jin Ogawa, Samuel Parker

Softball: CeCe Elliott, Shayla Erickson, Searra Fuentes-Arellano, Melanie Fye, McKenzie Manriquez, Lexinton Summers

Volleyball: Caroline Gomes De Oliveira, Reyna Isenbart, Kendra Roth, Melissa Schroeder

A total of 25 student athletes earned Third Team Achievement honors (GPA of 3.6-3.79)

Baseball: Luke Baca, Beto Fraire, Arthur Green, Robert Healey, Stefan Mielzynski, Jon Thoren, Jakob Zito

Men’s Basketball: Tiago De Deus Cordeiro, Austin Jensen, Jayden Thomas

Men’s Soccer: Tiago Cordeiro, Pape Souleymane

Softball: Thalia Amaro, Elizabeth Betsch, Daphne Bustos, Taylor Klein, Joie Raybourn, Tyler Trujillo, Bryana Yoshida

Volleyball: Julia Abamo-Rocha, Skylar Botas, Tessa Ortiz, Antia Vallecas Rodriguez

Women’s Soccer: Stacey Adame, Jennifer Mueller

Chris Carrillo, athletic director, shared, “These students really exemplify what Otero is about. We are committed to developing student athletes both on and off the playing field. Their coaches and I are extremely proud of what they have accomplished and what they will continue to achieve. These students have a great work ethic and Otero has great collaboration between coaching staff and faculty, it all comes together and these students are able to excel.”

For questions about any Otero Athletics, Chris Carrillo, athletic director can be reached at 719-384-6973 or Chris.Carrillo@ojc.edu.



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