EPCC Women’s Half Marathon team earns recognition for academic performance

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – El Paso Community College's women's half marathon team was named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NCJAA) team of the year after earning a team GPA of 3.78 during the 2025-26 academic year.

The team earned the honor after earning the highest GPA among women's half marathon teams, EPCC said.

EPCC also announced the three other athletic teams earned NJCAA recognition reaching GPAs above 3.0.

• Baseball: 3.45.
• Softball: 3.36.
• Women’s Cross Country: 3.45.

Student athletes were also named to NJCAA All-Academic Teams based on their individuals GPAs.

"These awards celebrate not only academic achievement but also the character and determination that define our programs," said Felix Hinojosa, director of athletics and head cross country coach at EPCC. "We are proud to see their efforts recognized on a national level."

NJCAA All-Academic First Team (4.0 GPA)
Baseball: Matthew Martinez, Jonathan Meza, Alejandro Ruperto and Pablo Vargas
Softball: Danna Castillo, Kimberly Chavez, and Dulce Ontiveros
Women’s Cross Country: Frida Kandie

NJCAA All-Academic Second Team (3.80 – 3.99 GPA)
Baseball: Jaziel Boekhoudt and Gus Koehn
Softball: Ariel Alvarado and Abigail Rios
Women’s Cross Country and Half Marathon: Maureen Jepkosgei, Antonia Ronoh and Faith Rotich

NJCAA All-Academic Third Team (3.60 – 3.79 GPA)
Baseball: Riquelmi Febles, Deule Malave, Jordan Morales and Ihosvany Rodriguez
Women’s Cross Country & Half Marathon: Nhamoinesu Mabvuka
Men’s Cross Country & Half Marathon: Joaquin Moya