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Four Athletes & Softball Team Receive NJCAA All-Academic Honors

Posted August 4, 2025 at 9:05 am

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has unveiled its 2024-25 All-Academic Teams, celebrating the outstanding academic achievements of student-athletes nationwide.

This year, an impressive 13,915 student-athletes earned recognition for maintaining a GPA of 3.60 or higher. Among them were four representatives from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Additionally, the Black Bears softball team achieved the distinction of being named an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year, joining an elite group of 1,347 teams honored for their scholastic excellence.

Student-athletes who recorded a 4.0 GPA were named to the First Team. Second Team honors were given for a GPA between 3.80 and 3.99, while Third Team sits between 3.60 and 3.79. Teams that earned a 3.0 Combined GPA or higher were named to their respective list.

The honorees from Pennsylvania Highlands include:

Second Team

  • Christian Harding (Sophomore, Washington, DC, Men’s Basketball)
  • Brooke Snyder (Freshman, Fort Hill, PA, Softball)

Third Team

  • Christian Haberkorn (Sophomore, Johnstown, PA, Men’s Cross Country)
  • Jake Oglesby (Freshman, Melbourne, FL, Men’s Basketball)

Team Awards

  • Softball (3.05 Combined GPA)

“We’re always proud of our student-athletes’ accomplishments, but their success in the classroom is especially meaningful,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “Earning a 3.6 GPA or higher requires incredible dedication and discipline. Balancing classes, homework, practices, workouts, games, and long nights of travel is no easy task, and their hard work truly deserves recognition.”

The Black Bears softball team has earned an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year distinction in all three seasons of competition.

Since the reinstatement of athletics at Pennsylvania Highlands in 2010, a total of 73 student-athletes have earned NJCAA All-Academic honors, highlighting the College’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field.

About Black Bear Athletics
Black Bear Athletics, the official sports program of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, is dedicated to fostering excellence both on and off the field. As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Black Bear Athletics offers a diverse range of sports, including basketball, bowling, cross country, esports, golf, softball, volleyball, and wrestling. 
 
Our mission is to help student-athletes succeed in sports, academics, and life. By focusing on teamwork, leadership, time management, and discipline, we prepare them for success in all areas. 
 
Black Bear Athletics is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) and NJCAA Region 20, competing against programs across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.