ELLISVILLE – Eight Jones County Junior College student-athletes have been named either Distinguished Academic All-American or Academic All-American for 2008-09 by the NJCAA.

Distinguished Academic All-Americans must have a 3.80 GPA or higher, while Academic All-Americans must have a GPA from 3.60 to 3.79.

Tennis player Rachel Whaley of Quitman, who was named the JCJC Female Presidential Scholar-Athlete, had the top GPA with a 3.95, while baseball player Kody James of Taylorsville was the Male Presidential Scholar-Athlete winner and was also recognized by the NJCAA.

In addition to Whaley and James, other Distinguished Academic All-Americans were tennis player J.J. Benson of West Jones, basketball players Nikki Graham of Stringer and Shasta Mills of West Jones, and baseball player Chanse Yelverton of Stringer.

Softball player Rebekah Langley of West Jones and soccer player Ernie Shows of Forrest County AHS were named Academic All-Americans.

“We are proud of the accomplishments and hard work our student-athletes are exhibiting in the classroom, as well as in their individual sports,” said JCJC Athletic Director Katie Herrington.