Record tied for most academic all-conference awards at NEMCC

July 25, 2022 Bob Bakken

By Blake Long, NEMCC Sports Information Director

More rewards are coming to Northeast Mississippi Community College’s competitors that took their grades just as seriously as their athletic responsibilities during the 2021-22 school year.

A total of 57 student-athletes from Northeast were the recipients of scholastic honors from the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC).

It is the fourth consecutive year that Northeast has either tied or broken the school record for most Academic All-MACCC selections. There were 57 winners during the 2020-21 season as well.

Northeast also shattered the previous athletic department mark for the largest number of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Academic Awards with 35.

“I’m very proud of all these student-athletes and the manner in which they represent us,” said Northeast athletic director Kent Farris. “Our faculty does a fantastic job of preparing them for success down the road.”

The MACCC annually recognizes both freshmen and sophomores from its 15 member institutions that complete 24 cumulative hours between the fall and spring semesters. Athletes in their final season of eligibility qualify for these accolades by taking 12 countable hours.

Nominees with a grade point average (GPA) between 3.25 and 3.79 garner Academic All-MACCC distinction while those with a GPA of 3.8 or higher earn Distinguished Academic All-MACCC prestige.

Baseball had the most individuals recognized out of any program at Northeast with 19 of its 31 active roster participants. Football and softball were not far behind with 11 honorees apiece.

Northeast’s traditional service area, which includes Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties, was once again well represented with 24 awardees. Booneville High School had nine alumni that obtained these prizes while Thrasher High School had three.

The following is the list in alphabetical order with sport, GPA and high school of the Northeast student-athletes that were recognized as Distinguished Academic All-MACCC. (DeSoto County athletes are listed in BOLD)

Logan Bland, Baseball, 3.84, Houston (Tenn.)
Tommy Branyan, Football, 4.0, Hernando
Alexie Griffin, Softball, 3.9, St. Benedict (Tenn.)
Colby Holcombe, Baseball, 3.87, Central (Ala.)
Carson Kitchens, Women’s Tennis, 3.89, Booneville
Demi Lindsey, Softball, 3.87, Saltillo
Brianne Locke, Softball, 3.87, Starkville
Braden Lovely, Golf, 4.0, American Christian (Ala.)
Emme Muizers, Softball, 3.91, Hernando
Grayson Stone, Baseball, 3.8, Belmont
Carson Wilder, Golf, 3.86, Kossuth
Wes Wiltshire, Men’s Tennis, 4.0, Belmont
Allie Windham, Softball, 3.91, Thrasher

The following is the list in alphabetical order with sport, GPA and high school of the Northeast student-athletes that were recognized as Academic All-MACCC.