Citrus Student-Athletes Rack Up Achievement Awards

The 56th Annual Citrus College Achievement Awards Ceremony was held last week in the Robert D. Haugh Performing Arts Center, and several Citrus student-athletes were honored for some of the most prestigious recognitions the school has to offer. 

Eduardo Contreras-Herrera, a standout on the Men's Soccer team, was awarded the Key of Knowledge, the most prestigious academic award given by the college. The Key of Knowledge is bestowed upon the 10 students who have achieved the college's highest overall academic performance. A committee of administrators and faculty review the transcripts of students with the highest GPA's to ensure that their coursework represents a rigorous combination of general education and major courses, a minimum of 34 units completed, and full-time enrollment for at least two of the last three semesters. Citrus College Student Athletes take their studies seriously, and Mr. Contreras-Herrera has exemplified that trait. 

Amongst the academic award recipients were student-athletes that were named Distinguished Students within their academic fields of study. Women's Soccer player Roxanna Sheets was named by the Anthropology Department; Men's Basketball player Jesse Elrod was recognized by the History Department; Women's Volleyball player Iris Bernal, Men's Basketball player Josh Caston, Men's Soccer player Eduardo Contreras-Herrera, Baseball players Ethan Cummins and Teppei Fukuda and Women's Basketball player Kameron Seto were all recognized by the Kinesiology Department; Men's Golfer Josh Strong was selected by the Psychology Department; and Men's Golfer Justin Pruszynski was chosen by the Speech Communications Department.

Aside from academically focused honors, the college also recognized the top male and female athletes of the year. These individuals exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete at Citrus, and achieved at a very high level in their respective sports. 

The Female Athlete of the Year award was given to Women's Volleyball player Gina Lipscomb after an impressive year on the court for the Owls. Josh Caston was voted as the Male Student Athlete of the Year for his successful season on the Men's Basketball team. 

Lipscomb, who dominated the Western State Conference as the Player of the Year for Women's Volleyball, led the Owls in most offensive categories this season, and earned a full scholarship to study and compete at NCAA Division I Florida International University.   

Caston, who led the Citrus Men's Basketball team to its third consecutive conference championship and a State Final Four appearance, was voted the top Male Athlete of the Year. Smith, one of the top scorers in the state, was chosen as the Conference Player of the Year for Men's Basketball and made the All State 1st Team. 

Citrus Athletics is proud of our student athletes' success on the court, field, pool and course, but especially proud of the academic achievements of our young men and women. 

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