NEMCC athletes make grades

A stellar group of student-athletes at Northeast Mississippi Community College kept their focus in the classroom despite a very busy calendar of sporting events during the latter half of the academic year.

A total of 36 athletes representing eight athletic programs were among those named to Northeast Mississippi Community College's President's and Vice President's List for the 2017 spring semester.

“We are very proud of the number of student-athletes receiving recognition this past semester,” said Northeast athletic director Kent Farris. “Our coaching staff does an excellent job of holding our student-athletes accountable on and off the playing field. This includes in the academic setting.”

There were 10 young men and women accumulated perfect 4.0 grade point averages (GPA) during the spring and as a result were honored with a spot on the prestigious President's List.

One of the student-athletes that was selected for the President's List was Starkville Academy's own Caleb Griffin in baseball.

An additional 26 players held GPAs between 3.5 and 3.99 during the same span between January and May to garner acknowledgement on the distinguished Vice President's List.

Baseball had the most individuals on the President's List by accounting for half of the 10 recipients. The Tigers, which won at least 20 games for the fourth time in the last five seasons, had the second most overall award winners with 10.

Five ladies from the tradition-rich softball program, which reached the state playoffs for the 15th time in its 17 years of fast-pitch competition, were commended for their academic prowess.

Three men from the nationally ranked golf team qualified for these accolades. The women's basketball squad had multiple representatives that earned a spot on these listings as well.