Two SBCC teams win State Scholar Award

Two SBCC athletic teams have been honored for their excellence in the classroom.

The 2013 Men's Volleyball and Women's Track & Field squads have been selected as Scholar Team award winners by the California Community College Athletic Association. Men's Volleyball compiled a 3.58 grade-point average and Women's Track posted a 3.43. Teams must have at least a 3.0 GPA to qualify for the award.

Men's Volleyball had the highest GPA of the 18 teams honored for the 2012-13 season and Women's Track was fourth. Six of the Men's Volleyball players had GPAs of 3.5 or higher, topped by Karl Olsson and Evan Yoshimoto.

"This is the most prestigious honor a team can earn because it is awarded to a team that succeeds on both the track and in the classroom," said women's track coach Scott Fickerson. "It is not just an academic award, but one that must be earned through athletic accomplishments as well. This is the embodiment of Student-Athlete and the Lady Vaqueros of the 2013 Track and Field team really took all we are espousing to heart."

Eight women's track student-athletes had a cumulative GPA of more than 3.5, led by Emily Walker, Christina Khalil and Judith Rodriguez with near-perfect marks academically.

"This is one of the highest honors that a team can receive as it emphasizes the team's academic performance and dedication," said athletic director Ryan Byrne. "We are proud of the hard work these student-athletes, coaches and advisors have put in to receive this honor."

The teams will be honored at the Celebration of Scholar Athletes Luncheon, during the 17th annual CCCAA Convention, on Wednesday April 2, at the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel.