NEARLY THIRTY NORTHEAST ATHLETES RECEIVE ACADEMIC ALL-STATE AWARDS

Jackson, Miss. – The Northeast Mississippi Community College athletic department continues to reap in the rewards of placing an emphasis on its young men and women to work hard in the classroom.

Twenty-nine student-athletes representing each of Northeast's competitive athletic programs were recognized with Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) Academic All-State distinction.

"We have a very outstanding history of academic success among our athletes and this year is just a continuation of this proud tradition," said Northeast athletic director Kent Farris. "This can be attributed to our coaching staffs that do a commendable job monitoring and mentoring their student-athletes."

The MACJC annually acknowledges individuals from each of its 15 member institutions with scholastic accolades. It is the fourth straight year in which Northeast had over 20 players honored as Academic All-State.

Freshmen and sophomores are eligible for the MACJC's educational awards. Student-athletes must take a minimum of 24 cumulative hours and be enrolled at their institution for both the fall and spring semesters.

Those with a grade point average (GPA) between 3.25 and 3.79 earn Academic All-State laurels while those with a 3.8 GPA or higher receive Distinguished Academic All-State status.

The most honorees during the 2017-18 academic year came from the softball team.  Fifteen of its 19 total members, or roughly 80 percent of its entire roster, captured one of these prestigious prizes.

The baseball squad, which was selected last season as an All-Academic Team by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), had the second most players decorated with 10.

Northeast's football, men's basketball and women's basketball programs were each represented as well on the Magnolia State's yearly listing of the top intellectual student-athletes.

The following is the list in alphabetical order with sport, classification, GPA and high school of the Northeast standouts that were named to either the MACJC Distinguished Academic All-State or MACJC Academic All-State teams.