SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Ohio Community College Athletic Conference has named individuals from seven sports as the 2019-20 Scholar-Athletes of the Year. In addition, 23 OCCAC student-athletes earned a spot on the ’19-20 All-Sportsmanship Team.
The league expanded its Scholar-Athlete of the Year accolade to include an honoree from each sponsored sport and two additional sports this season. Rebekah New, a member of the Edison State women’s basketball program, is now a two-time honoree after being tabbed as the 2018-19 OCCAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Joining New as ’19-20 Scholar-Athletes of the Year are Hannah Campbell (Edison State, softball), Megan Dunne (Owens, volleyball), Henry Haas (Lorain County, cross country), Madison Harrington (Columbus State, golf), Mike Sears (Sinclair, baseball) and Derek Yahnke (Lorain County, men’s basketball).
The annual OCCAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is voted on by a conference committee which weighs academic success (50%), community service (25%) and athletic achievements (25%) in determining the recipients.
HANNAH CAMPBELL
“3.84 GPA for year. She was very active in the community. She volunteered over 80 hours, laying wreaths at Forest Hill Cemetery with Wreaths Across America. She also helped tutoring young girls in softball at the Little Indians Clinic in Piqua.”
MEGAN DUNNE
“Megan has a 4.0 GPA with 61 credit hours following her freshman year. She was an integral part of the Owens National Championship team as a DS and RS hitter. She played in 24 matches and 61 sets. Serving her community is also very important to Megan. Over the past year, she has volunteered nearly 170 hours. She has helped coach club volleyball and 6th grade basketball. She also delivers Meals on Wheels, volunteered with Car Teens thru 4H, and also was an integral part of the United Way’s “Kick off to Caring” on Pack the Backpack alongside her Owens Express volleyball teammates. “
MADISON HARRINGTON
“Recently graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in Early Children Education, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA. After a strong autumn showing, she was ready for the spring Golf season when the pandemic struck. In the community, she volunteered for the College’s Day of Service to clean up Goodale Park and mulch the playground.”
HENRY HAAS
“GPA for year 3.73. He was a member of Men’s Region 12 Champion Team and an All Regional runner in 2019. Henry volunteered at LCCC Commodore Cupboard food bank as well as numerous running races hosted by LCCC.”
REBEKAH NEW
“Rebekah was a two year Basketball Student-Athlete at Edison State and she carried a 4.0 GPA in her two years at Edison State. She earned the Coaches Award this year on a team that went 28 and 3, and won the OCCAC title and won the Regional. Rebekah is very active in the church as a youth group leader and a Sunday school teacher.”
MIKE SEARS
“An Academic All-American in both 2018-2019 and 2019-20, finished the year on the OCCAC all-academic as well as the Sinclair Dean’s list and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. Volunteering well over 20 individual hours this year, Mike was active with his community donating blood and reading at local elementary schools as well as working with Habitat of Humanity. He did hit .341, with 3 homeruns and 11 RBI’s. As the most feared hitter in our conference (All-American in 2018-2019 & 19 homeruns), Mike broke Sinclair’s homerun record in the short season when he hit his 22 career homerun. Sears has signed a NLOI to continue his baseball and academic career at Indiana State next season.”
DEREK YAHNKE
“GPA for year 3.73. Derek came to LCCC as a non-traditional adult student. Derek went above and beyond to make sure he and his team stayed active and excited about the experiences. He actively participated in off court team activities that included partnerships with Toys for Tots, Grafton Correctional Institution (prison mentoring program “Restore Justice”) and our youth mentoring program. Derek averaged 13ppg and 8 rebounds and posted an amazing 36 point, 24 rebound game against Hocking on the road. Derek has been a great example of a true Student-Athlete.”
2019-20 OCCAC ALL-SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM
Baseball
Keegan Corbett (Sinclair), Bryce McMurray (Clark State), Mason Mocahbee (Edison State), Ben Sexton (Owens)
Basketball, women’s
Hailey Baker (Clark State), Keyana Booth (Terra State), Brogan McIver (Edison State), Kelsey Simmerly (Lorain County)
Basketball, men’s
Jaedyn Carter (Edison State), Logan Madden (Sinclair), Jacob Marsh (Lorain County), Logan Mierzejewski (Terra State), Donovan Saine (Hocking College), Joseph Timmons (Clark State)
Cross Country
Samantha Glass (Lorain County)
Softball
Adrianna Hicks (Edison State), Sydney Hughes (Owens), Kiara McConnaughey (Clark State)
Volleyball
Kayla Bekier (Owens), Hallie Holbrook (Sinclair), Audrey Jenkins (Columbus State), Kathryn Lee (Edison State), Maddie Markovich (Lorain County)
Read the complete All-Sportsmanship Team nomination bios HERE.