Nine ASUN Aviators Earn Spots on 2024–25 NJCAA All-Academic Teams

NEWPORT (Ark.) – Arkansas State University–Newport is proud to announce that nine members of the Aviators women’s softball team have been named to the 2024–25 NJCAA All-Academic Teams, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding academic performance among student-athletes across the nation.

 

These Aviators demonstrated their commitment to academic excellence by maintaining a GPA of 3.60 or higher during the academic year. This recognition by the National Junior College Athletic Association underscores the strength of ASUN’s student-athlete culture—where success in the classroom is just as valued as success in competition.
 
The honored Aviators are:
 
First Team (4.00 GPA):
 Kamryn Bates
 Danica Brown
 Skyler Riddle
 Reese Yoder
 
Second Team (3.80–3.99 GPA):
 Crissa Ahrens
 Bentley Armstrong
 Carley Clark
 Abbie Nation
 
Third Team (3.60–3.79 GPA):
 Macee McGill
 
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for these young women,” said Head Softball Coach Kevin Pearce. “Balancing a full academic load with practices, games, and travel isn’t easy—but these athletes have done it with dedication, focus, and heart. We’re incredibly proud of their achievements and what they represent for this program.”
 
Launched in 2023, the Aviators softball program is preparing to enter its third season this fall. Despite being one of the newest athletic teams in the region, the program has quickly made its mark—not just through athletic competition, but also through strong academic performance and student leadership.
 
“Academic excellence is a cornerstone of everything we do at ASU-Newport,” said Interim Chancellor Ike Wheeler. “Our student-athletes are students first. These NJCAA honors are a powerful reminder that our athletes are setting a high standard—on the field, in the classroom, and in life.”
 
ASUN is committed to supporting the success of all students and continues to provide the resources and mentorship that empower Aviators to thrive in every aspect of their college experience.
 
To view the full list of NJCAA All-Academic honorees, visit www.njcaa.org