Awards Banquet honors EPCC student athletes May 6
- Staff report
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
Updated: May 8
Special to Tejano Tribune
EPCC celebrated the accomplishments of Baseball, Softball, Men's and Women's Cross Country and Men's and Women's Half Marathon teams during the 2025 Awards Banquet May 6. EPCC administrators also honored those who made the President's List (4.0 GPA) and Dean's List (3.25 GPA).
“Student athletes are a special group," EPCC Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services Dr. Carlos Amaya said. “You have a level of greatness that leads to attaining better grades."
“You are foremost a student," EPCC Vice President of Instruction and Workforce Education Dr. Steven Smith said. “You may run your last race or play your last game, but your degree is always with you."
The EPCC baseball team is at the Region 5 tournament and was not able to attend, but their accomplishments were highlighted. This is the first winning season for baseball (39-17 overall) since 2008. Other baseball notes: first WJCAC winning season since 2008, first playoff appearance since 2008, most wins in a season since 2003 (42), most conference wins in a season since 2004 (24), and most home victories in program history with 27, most away wins (12) since the 15 in 2008.
The 39 wins are the second most in a season since 42 in 2003, and the 17 losses are the second fewest in a season since 11 in 2003.
The baseball BIG STICK Award (for 70 hits in a season) went to Alan Nava with 76 hits, and Carlos Mauldin with 74, despite missing ten games with a hand injury.
For softball, head coach Kathryn Gutierrez presented the following awards:
Golden Bat (Offensive Player of the Year): Maria Ontiveros
Golden Glove (Defensive Player of the Year): Dulce Ontiveros
Golden Glove (Top Pitcher): Priscilla Medina
For Cross Country / Half Marathon, the awards are as follows:
Men's Top Performer:
Cross Country - Ian Kiprono
Half Marathon - Hector Sanchez
Women's Top Performer:
Cross Country - Antonia Ronoh
Half Marathon - Antonia Ronoh
Special Services Award:
Jezarae Valenzuela (trainer)
Alyssa Ontiveros (trainer)
EPCC finished third overall in the Women's Half Marathon, which took place in Richmond, Virginia, in November. The women also finished 7th out of 27 teams in the Women's Cross Country event. The men finished 5th out of 28 teams in the Men's Cross-Country event, while the Men's Half Marathon team finished 5th in the nation.
The EPCC Men won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region V and Western Junior College Athletic Conference Championships in Hobbs, New Mexico. The women's team finished 2nd behind New Mexico Junior College.
"Watching these athletes push themselves to conquer a seemingly inhuman feat is inspiring in itself; I am very proud of our athletic programs," EPCC Athletic Director Felix Hinojosa said. "The most rewarding aspect of this year's athletics was to be a footnote in our student athletes' experiences; witnessing their learning and growth that comes with the journey, even in the face of challenges."
Meanwhile, late last year, EPCC Athletic Director and cross country-half marathon head coach Felix Hinojosa was named the NJCAA West Region Men's Coach of the Year for Cross Country.
The EPCC Spirit Squad celebrated their members:
Mia Martinez (President's List) Dylan BrennanAlba Quintero Enid Louisa GonzalezAdilene Preciado Perla Delgado
EPCC Baseball will award their honorees once the season is over at a later date.
For more information on EPCC athletics, please visit: https://www.epcc.edu/Services/Athletics
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