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CCC Pauses to Recognize Fall Athletes


During the chapel hour on Monday, December 8, the Clearwater Christian College family recognized students who double as student-athletes and represent the college on the court or field. This special chapel focused on the athletes who participate in the fall sports—women’s volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, and golf. In addition to recognizing the students for their athletic abilities, seven students were also recognized by the NCCAA as scholar athletes for maintaining at least a 3.4 GPA as a junior or senior.

The chapel started off with a testimony from junior Megan Creech who missed a large portion of the women’s soccer season after tearing her ACL and meniscus. Megan encouraged students to not doubt God’s plans for their lives and added, “I know God will use this injury someday.”

Presenting for the women’s soccer team, Assistant Coach Chad Heffelfinger recognized the following athletes:

First Team All-Region
o Jen Ramos

Second Team All-Region
o Brethny Espinosa
o Susan Brooks

Scholar Athletes
o Brooke Littlefield
o Jen Ramos
Offensive Player of the Year
o Brooke Littlefield

Defensive Player of the Year
o Brethny Espinosa

MVP
o Jen Ramos

Although the golf team struggled a bit this season, Coach Dwight McEntire recognized his team members and noted their potential for future seasons. He recognized one athlete in particular as the team member with the most potential after consistently scoring low throughout the season. The award went to freshman Gallary Listort.

The women’s volleyball team had a very successful season as they went 43-5 and brought home the NCCAA II National Championship; however, Coach Vickie Denny, who was named the National Coach of the Year, stressed the importance of teamwork for a volleyball team. “When one player is recognized, we’re really recognizing the whole team because volleyball is such a team sport.” Awards were given to the following ladies:

Honorable Mention All-Region Team
o Laura Banks
o Summer Jelsma

First Team All-Region
o Evie Compton
o Alyssa Hallice
o Emma Kile

Regional Libero of the Year
o Chrissie Sugimoto

Region MVP
o Alyssa Hallice

All-Tournament Team at Nationals
o Alyssa Hallice
o Evie Compton
o Emma Kile

Scholar Athletes
o Summer Jelsma
o Rachel Farrell
o Chrissie Sugimoto
o Ginette Cerrud
First Team All-American
o Evie Compton
o Alyssa Hallice
o Emma Kile

National Libero of the Year
o Chrissie Sugimoto

Rookie of the Year
o Emma Kile

Defensive Player of the Year
o Summer Jelsma

Offensive Player of the Year
o Alyssa Hallice

Coach’s Award
o Evie Compton

Senior Elementary Education major and four-year veteran of the men’s soccer team, Lance Wild, gave another testimony about the importance of prayer life. Lance encouraged the assembly to trust God to actually listen to our prayers, and pray with the expectation that God will hear and answer our prayers.

For the men’s soccer team, Coach James Whitaker presented a number of awards:

First Team All-Region
o Keoni Haole
o Steven Hutt
o Tyler Spraul

Second Team All-Region
o Bill Carlton
o Juan Robayo
o Paul Vanaman
o Matt Tewes

Scholar Athlete
o Bill Carlton
Second Team All-American
o Tyler Spraul

Defensive Player of the Year
o Matt Tewes

Offensive Player of the Year
o Juan Robayo

Most Improved Player
o Bill Carlton

Coach’s Award
o Tyler Spraul
Before closing the chapel with prayer, Coach Whitaker presented one more award to Sam Greeley. The Marietta, South Carolina native, who graduated from Hampton Park Christian School, was inducted into the Clearwater Christian College Hall of Fame. Sam played soccer for four seasons at CCC and played basketball for one year. He was named to the All-Region team from 2005-2007. His senior year, he was the team captain, MVP, and led the Cougars to one of their best finishes ever when they placed fourth in the national tournament. Sam, who helped as an assistant coach for this year’s men’s soccer team, was also a scholar athlete in 2007 and 2008.

The Athletics Department at Clearwater Christian College would like to thank all the athletes who participated in collegiate sports this season. The Lord blessed CCC with safe travels and Godly testimonies on the road and at home. Special thanks to the coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, ESS interns and Athletic Director James Whitaker for their support and encouragement to make every athlete a disciple through CCC athletics.