Johnson County Community College

College News

JCCC tennis player earns national award
May 14, 2013

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced its 2013 national award winners for Junior and Community Colleges men’s and women’s tennis, and Johnson County Community College sophomore Shannon Beckett was named the ITA Women’s Sophomore of the Year.

Beckett finished the 2013 regular season ranked NO. 1 in doubles with teammate Erika Castillo-Lopez, and No. 4 in singles in the ITA Women’s Rankings. She completed her sophomore season with a combined singles and doubles record of 32-4 and was a major contributor to JCCC’s sixth place finish at the 2013 NJCAA Women’s Tennis Championships last week in Tucson, Ariz.

Earlier this year, Beckett helped the Lady Cavaliers capture a Region VI title by winning the No. 1 doubles bracket and finishing runner-up at No. 1 singles.

Beckett finished her career with a combined singles and doubles record of 55-14. She was 26-9 all-time at No. 1 singles, and 29-5 at No. 1 doubles. Her 55 total victories rank fifth all-time at Johnson County.

JCCC adds four to Athletics Hall of Fame
April 18, 2013

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College Athletic Department welcomed four new members to its Hall of Fame, Wednesday, April 17. The new members are Amy Gochnour (cross country/track), Bret Gustafson (contributor/photographer), Kent Shelley (baseball) and Randy Towner (golf).

The induction ceremony took place in the JCCC gymnasium in front of nearly 100 family, friends and guests.

Blackham nabs Pitcher of the Week honors
March 13, 2013

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Johnson County Community College right-handed pitcher Matt Blackham has been selected the KJCCC/Verizon Wireless and NJCAA/OC Sports Pitcher of the Week after he anchored the Cavaliers defense in a 5-0 shutout victory over Allen Community College last week. This is his second conference honor this season, and first national honor.

The sophomore delivered seven innings of work without giving up a single hit. Blackham earned the win after striking out 16 batters and allowing only one walk. With his performance, Blackham extended his no-hit streak to 13 consecutive innings. On the season, Blackham leads Johnson County with 27 strikeout s and boasts a 2.30 ERA.

Back-to-back conference titles for Lady Cavaliers
February 25, 2013

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The Johnson County women’s basketball team are conference champions....AGAIN! The Lady Cavaliers captured its second consecutive East Jayhawk Conference title with their 51-45 home win over Saturday afternoon at the JCCC Gymnasium. It the fourth conference title in the program’s history, but the first time any team has won them back-to-back.

“I’ve always said that a regular season conference title is the crown jewel in college basketball,” coach Ben Conrad said following his team’s celebration. “I couldn’t be prouder of our players and coaches, to basically start from scratch with our roster and clinch for a share of another conference title.”

While the outcome of the game was historic, the actual execution to get this milestone victory was not one of the Lady Cavaliers best efforts this season.

Johnson County previously defeated Neosho County by 33 points on the Lady Panthers home floor, but Saturday afternoon, Neosho County gave everything they could handle, and with nearly four minutes?left to play, Neosho County a four point lead on Johnson County.

“Neosho was very good defensively,” said Conrad. “They did a tremendous job of challenging all our shots. I thought they outplayed us and probably deserved to win the game. They also had some kids who typically don’t shoot it well, make shots. This was also our fifth game in 10 days, and it really showed. When we don’t get good practices in, we struggle.”

Three players finished in double figures scoring, led by sophomore DaShawn Harden. The former KC Metro player of the Year finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four steals.

She was joined in double figures by freshman guard Timeka O’Neal and Juanita Robinson. O’Neal poured in 10 points and contributed six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Robinson recorded her first double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points and 10 boards. She also had five assists and two steals.

JCCC also got solid efforts from freshmen Kariel Hutt and Taylor McDowell. Hutt led JCCC with 11 rebounds, and was 3-of-4 at the line. McDowell came in off the bench to know down two key 3-pointers.

The victory also extended JCCC home court winning streak to 36 straight games.

JCCC throwers ink letters-of-intent
February 6, 2013

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Two All-American throwers from the Johnson County Community College track and field team signed national letters-of-intent with four-year universities today. Monet Jackson, formerly of Blue Springs High School, signed with Colorado State University, and Hayes Grissom, formerly of Shawnee Mission West High School, inked with Troy University.

Jackson owns all five of the top marks in the weight throw in JCCC history, and has broken the school record four times in her career. Her most recent record throw of 58-feet, 7.75 has her ranked first among all community college athletes in the country.

Grissom came to JCCC as a walk-on and developed into one the top javelin throwers nationally. He earned second-team All-American with his runner-up finish at the NJCAA Outdoor Championships last May. He followed by placing fifth at the USA Junior Outdoor Championships in Bloomington, Ind., last summer.

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