Two men’s soccer, two women’s soccer and two volleyball players from Blue Mountain Community College have been named Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Fall Academic Excellence Award winners thanks to their stellar performances on the field and in the classroom during the fall season. The announcements were made by the NWAC on Wednesday.
Midfielder Elijah Mendez and defender Jonathan Wolotira (Pendleton) were named winners from the men’s soccer team, while midfielders Hunter Price (Twin Falls, Idaho) and Jenna Senter (Pendleton) were named from the women’s soccer team. In addition, volleyball players Erin Kelly (outside hitter, Meridian, Idaho) and Rainena Schenbeck Chang (Libero, Kapolei, HI) were honored. Awardees must be sophomores in eligibility, have a minimum of 36 credits earned, a 3.25 cumulative GPA, and be recommended by the college.
“I am so very proud of these two and their focus to their studies and to become better students,” said BMCC head women’s soccer coach Jordan Hillmick of Price and Senter. “When they’re not on the soccer field, they’re working on their studies and truly embody what a student-athlete should be.” Head men’s coach Austin Shick also expressed pride in his selected players.
“Jon and Elijah are an example to all future soccer players of the men’s soccer program,” Shick said. “These two are the foundation of the inaugural men’s soccer team. I am excited to see their growth in the next few years as they continue their soccer careers at the next level.”
In addition, three women’s and two men’s players have been named to the NWAC All East Region Team for fall. Freshmen Kiana Corpuz (forward, Hilo, HI), Olivia Luna (forward, Irrigon), and Daisy Torres (goalkeeper, Pasco, Wash.) were named to the women’s team, while freshmen Victor Gomez Lozano (midfielder, Dayton, Wash.) and Trystin Quintero (forward, Meridian, Idaho) were named to the men’s team. These student-athletes were nominated by their coaches for contributions made during the season, both on and off the field.
“This is an amazing honor to be recognized by the conference for their work ethic on the field,” Hillmick said.
