Crush student-athletes honored at Torch of Excellence

May 7, 2024

Clovis Community College student-athletes not only dominate on the field, but in the classroom as well. An impressive total of 53 Crush student-athletes were recognized on May 1 at the 28th annual Kiwanis Club Torch of Excellence Awards held at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.

The Torch of Excellence Awards honors student-athletes who attained a 3.2 grade point average or higher for at least one semester during the prior class year. The Kiwanis Club recognizes State Center Community College District student-athletes from Clovis Community College, Fresno City College, Reedley College, and Madera Community College.

"We are incredibly proud of our Crush student-athletes that were recognized at this year's Torch of Excellence," said Clovis Director of Athletics James Sewell. "Roughly half of our entire student-athlete population has earned a 3.2 GPA or better, while also competing at championship levels and serving our campus and local communities.

"This group in particular has done a truly exceptional job of balancing academics, athletics, and life, and have proven to be model student-athletes in every sense," he added. "This is also a reflection of our outstanding staff and their commitment to academic success, in particular the dedicated work of Athletic Counselor, Karie Hannigan."

Earning top honors for the Crush were Sal Renteria and Kaya Jensen. The two were named the college's Male and Female Scholar Athletes of the Year. (Complete list of honorees below)

Renteria is a member of the men's cross country team that last fall won its first-ever Central Valley Conference Championship and 3C2A Northern California Regional Championship.

He enjoyed continued success this spring with our track & field team, narrowly missing out on an individual bid to the NorCal Regional Finals. This fierce work ethic is mirrored in the classroom, as Renteria carries a 3.67 GPA as a business administration major. He plans to earn his associate's degree and transfer to a four-year institution next year.

Jensen was a key member of the women's soccer team that captured the CVC championship and finished the season with a final No. 7 national ranking.

She has also excelled in the classroom, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA in each of the previous three semesters while working towards her associate's degree in early childhood education. Jensen will graduate this May and plans to continue her educational journey in the fall at Cal State Monterey Bay.

28th Annual Torch of Excellence
2024 Clovis Community College Honorees

Chancellors (4.0 GPA)
Kaya Jensen, Women's Soccer

President's Scholar (3.51-4 GPA)
Sebastian Aguilar, Men's Soccer
Kaylynn Alves, Women's Soccer
Omar Antonio, Men's Cross Country
Julia Avila, Women's Soccer
Aaron Carrillo, Men's Soccer
Daphne Christensen, Women's Track & Field
Juliette Colunga, Women's Track & Field
Cameron Criado, Women's Cross Country
Megan Duran, Women's Track & Field
Maria Garcia, Women's Cross Country
Noe Gutierrez, Men's Track & Field
Kailyn Hernandez, Women's Soccer
Juliet Herzog, Women's Swim & Dive
Marcus Jauregui, Men's Cross Country
Miles Kirkorian, Men's Soccer
Julia Martinez, Women's Track & Field
Milca Martinez-Lopez, Women's Cross Country
Sofia Orosco, Women's Soccer
Cameron Phouthavong, Women's Swim & Dive
Kendal Preston, Women's Soccer
Valeria Quintero, Women's Soccer
Teresa Quintero, Women's Soccer
Jennifer Recinos, Women's Track & Field
Salvador Renteria, Men's Cross Country
Reigan Rose, Women's Soccer
Paige Smith, Women's Soccer
Celeste Suarez, Women's Soccer
Genevieve Tamondong, Women's Cross Country
Rhiannon Walker, Women's Cross Country
Lorraine Walker, Women's Soccer
Isaiah Watkins, Men's Cross Country

Dean's Recognition (3.2-3.5 GPA)
Dion Bedolla, Men's Soccer
Daniella Bueno, Women's Soccer
Emma Cypher, Women's Soccer
Maria Garcia, Women's Soccer
Emma Greene, Women's Soccer
Jimena Gutierrez-Valdez, Women's Soccer
Sonja Hanson, Women's Swim & Dive
Kylie Harvey, Women's Soccer
Hermelinda Jimenez Rojas, Women's Soccer
Guillermo Lopez, Men's Cross Country
Jesus Lopez, Men's Swim & Dive
Nicole Maez, Women's Soccer
Lucas McGary, Men's Swim & Dive
Manuel Mora, Men's Swim & Dive
William Nichols, Men's Cross Country
Naisaiah Reyes, Men's Cross Country
Zachariah Rodriguez, Men's Soccer
Carly Tynan, Women's Soccer
Peter Vainauskas, Men's Soccer
David Valencia, Men's Soccer
Evelyn Zambrano Montemayor, Women's Track & Field