JULY 12, 2022—The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced yesterday the Southwestern Community College women’s track & field team has been named the 2021-22 NJCAA Academic Team of the Year in women’s outdoor track & field for achieving the highest cumulative team grade point average (GPA) in the nation.

According to the NJCAA, Southwestern finished on top with an overall GPA of 3.53; College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Union College in Cranford, New Jersey, tied for second with matching GPAs of 3.52.

Spartan Head Track & Field Coach Scott Vicker said this announcement came as the ultimate post-season honor.

“These young women had a great season and had many fantastic accomplishments; but there’s no question in my mind this is their biggest accomplishment of the season,” said Vicker. “I was blown away when I found out we received this honor. We had some outstanding young women on the team this year, and this honor is a testament to how hard they worked in the classroom.”

Vicker said balancing academic and athletic performance is always emphasized by his coaching staff, but these student-athletes performed phenomenally on and off the track with little nudging.

“This will definitely be a career highlight for me,” said Vicker, “and all six of these student-athletes should be incredibly proud of this accomplishment.”

Team members for the 2021-22 Southwestern track & field season included Emma Decker of Murray; Grace Massier of Des Moines; Florence Omodayo of Dekalb, Illinois; Brianna Osterson of Paton; Molly Venteicher of Massena; and Jena Yonker of Stuart.

Kim Bishop, Southwestern athletic director, said the academic accomplishments of this team are extraordinary.

“What a tremendous honor for our women’s track & field team,” Bishop stated. “Academically and athletically, Coach Vicker recruited strong and talented student-athletes. To be honored nationwide for their academic accomplishments sends a strong message for the caliber of student-athlete we are recruiting and the priorities of the athletic department. I am beyond proud!”

According to the NJCAA, 1,061 teams earned at least a 3.0 GPA or better and 29 programs from across the country earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors after achieving the highest GPA in their respective sport throughout the academic year.

For complete NJCAA Academic Team of the Year results, please visit njcaa.org.