NJCAA Recognizes Four SMC Athletes for Academic Excellence

06/20/12

SPARTANBURG, SC – Four student-athletes from Spartanburg Methodist College were recognized by the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association for their academic achievement.

Soccer player Corey Farnsworth earned the Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence for his perfect 4.0 grade point average. Farnsworth played forward for the Pioneer squad, which finished the season with a 16-4 record.

In addition, three SMC athletes received Exemplary Academic Achievement Awards for GPAs of over 3.50. Cross country runner Nicole Kaiser maintained a GPA of 3.76, volleyball player Abbey Lowder earned a 3.75, and Casey Shue, a softball player, was recognized for her 3.6 GPA.

Besides maintaining the grade point averages required by each of the awards, student-athletes must have completed at least three full-time semesters at their institution, taken at least 45 semester credit hours, and participated in at least one season at the varsity level at their college. All attempted credit hours were included in the calculations for the final GPA. The NJCAA hands out these national awards annually upon the conclusion of the academic year.

Spartanburg Methodist College fields 17 athletics teams, and maximizes the benefits to student athletes by letting them participate as upperclassmen as soon as they enter the two-year college. After graduation from SMC, 92% of students transfer to a four-year college to continue their education and receive their degrees.