JACKSON – The Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) has honored 17 Copiah-Lincoln Community College student-athletes for their classroom excellence in 2013-2014.

Eight of those student-athletes have been honored by being named MACJC Distinguished All-State for having a GPA of 3.80 or higher. Distinguished recipients include Erika Dear of Florence (tennis), Beth Fortenbery of Natchez (softball), Meghan Johnson of Utica (softball), Philip Lott of Purvis (baseball), Missy Romero of Canyon Lakes, Texas (softball); Josh Smith of Wesson (tennis), Wesley Varner of Magee (soccer), and Courtney Watts of Brookhaven (tennis).

Dear, Johnson, Lott and Smith all maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during their careers at Co-Lin.

Recognized as MACJC Academic All-State for having a GPA of 3.25-3.79 are Kayla Craft and Brooke Gonzales, both of Denham Springs, Louisiana (softball); Corey Funk of Brookhaven (baseball), Chance Holden of Brookhaven (soccer), Kalen Jackson of Mount Olive (football), Caitlin Lofton of Natchez (soccer), Christopher Rutland of Mize (golf), Austin Schillaci of Elmwood, Louisiana (golf) and Melody Smith of Brookhaven (tennis).