Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

08/11/08
Story by Tyler Cundith

Cavaliers among top academic baseball teams in the country

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- The Johnson County Community College baseball team is truly one of the top programs in the country. After completing one of the finest seasons in the program's history with a ninth-place finish at the 2008 NJCAA World Series, the team recently added a top academic honor as well. JCCC posted a 3.14 team grade point average for the spring 2008 semester, which earned them a No. 18 ranking in the nation, and qualifies them as one of 2008 Spring Academic Teams of the Year.

"I am proud of our guys,"  said head coach Kent Shelley. "I believe that what you do in the classroom relates to how you perform on the field, and this is a great example of that process."

The Cavaliers achieved this goal as a team, but several individuals earned special recognition for academic success. Ryan Garman (Fr./Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Brian McCulloch (Fr./Kansas City, Mo.), Drew Mikkelson (Fr./Stilwell, Kan.), Nate Thomas (Fr./Earlville, Iowa), Drew Garwood (So./St. Joseph, Mo.) Dustin Holthaus (So./Topeka, Kan.) and Jacob Smith (So./Overland Park, Kan.) were voted on the 2008 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference All-Academic Team. Garwood and Smith also garnered NJCAA Academic All-America accolades.