Kishwaukee Kougars nominated for 2021-2022 Academic Excellence Awards

Kishwaukee College saw 33 student-athletes nominated for the Arrowhead Conference Bob Bopp Academic Excellence Team during the 2021-2022 season. The award is named to honor Bob Bopp, a major supporter of the Arrowhead Conference and its athletes. The recognition is given to student-athletes who complete at least 12 credits per semester while achieving a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA for the academic year. The following Kishwaukee student-athletes were nominated:

Men's Baseball — Tyler Jacobsen, Algonquin; Declan McGrath, St. Charles; Blake Novinsky, Sycamore; Ryan Pitzer, Dixon; Tyler Potter, McHenry; Nate Stear, Mapleton

Men's Basketball — Austin Brown, Rochelle; Sean Etzkorn, Lisle; Avery Medina, DeKalb

Women's Basketball — Bridget Babb, Genoa; Megan Buttens, Mount Morris; Latonia Lacy, Freeport

Men's Bowling — Zachary Anderson, Shabbona; Aaron Olson, DeKalb; Riley Runowiecki, Sycamore

Esports — John Knapp, Rochelle; Aaron Olson, DeKalb; Daniel Thirtle, Sycamore

Women's Golf — Megan Buttens, Mount Morris; Amber Fellows, Genoa; Kylee Heck, Kirkland

Men's Soccer — Louis Avendano, Davis Junction; Alex Chavez, DeKalb; Andrew Prescod, Orlando, Fla.; Griffey Rodriguez, Dixon; Francis Zaylik, DeKalb

Women's Soccer — Megan Buttens, Mount Morris; Guadalupe Carrillo, DeKalb; Valeria Gonzalez, Aurora; Oleksandra Kruger, Genoa; Leslie Munoz, Sycamore; Skyler Stanis, Genoa

Women's Softball — Kendal Ansteth, Rochelle; Carli Klein, Warrensburg; Katie Taylor, DeKalb; Reese Ward, Sycamore

In addition, 10 student-athletes also received National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Academic nominations. Student-athletes with a 4.00 GPA earned NJCAA All-Academic First Team. Student-athletes with a 3.80-3.99 GPA earned NJCAA All-Academic Second Team. And student-athletes with a 3.60-3.79 GPA earned NJCAA All-Academic Third Team. The following student-athletes were nominated:

First Team — Sean Etzkorn, Lisle; John Knapp, Rochelle; Riley Runowiecki, Sycamore; Francis Zaylik, DeKalb

Second Team — Zachary Anderson, Shabbona; Valeria Gonzalez, Aurora; Amber Fellows, Genoa; Blake Novinsky, Sycamore

Third Team — Bridget Babb, Genoa; Guadalupe Carrillo, DeKalb

“The 2021-2022 athletic year was another fine year in competition, but we are even more proud of the number of student-athletes that achieved academic recognition,” said Scott Kawall, Director of Student Involvement, Athletic Director. “Their collective efforts both inside and outside the classroom are extraordinary, including extra studying and tutoring, practices, traveling to games, or working part-time jobs. All 33 student-athletes showed dedication to be successful while being role models to the College and community.”

With the start of a new athletic season fast approaching in August, Kishwaukee College is eager to welcome its next class of athletes. To learn more about athletics at Kish, visit www.kishkougars.com