MonticelloLive

The University of Arkansas at Monticello placed two student athletes on the 2007 Fall Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team – football’s senior linebacker Wes Ables and volleyball’s junior outside hitter MacKenzie Willis.

Ables (Hampton, Ark.) earns his second straight honor after being named to the same team in 2006. Currently, Ables is majoring in health and physical education and has a 3.83 cumulative grade point average. Of the 22 players selected from both the GSC West and East divisions, Ables was one of the six unanimous selections on the 2007 team.

During the 2007 season, Ables racked up 77 total tackles (27 solo), which was second best on the team. He also intercepted one pass, recorded one quarterback hurry, recovered one fumble, and forced one fumble.

“Wes was a great person to have on our football team,” said head football coach Gwaine Mathews. “When you find a player that excels in both aspects of the term ‘student-athlete’, you’ve really found something special.”

Willis (Andrews, Texas) earns her first academic honor as a Cotton Blossom. The teams were divided into the two respective divisions for volleyball. Among the 12 student-athletes selected to either team, Willis is the only one to have a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA. Willis is majoring in chemistry. Prior to coming to UAM, Willis was named to the Junior College Division I All-Academic team with a perfect 4.00 GPA at Vernon College.

On the court during the 2007 season, Willis averaged 2.19 kills per game, racking up 241 total kills. Willis was also a back row defensive threat with an average of 2.94 digs per game, with a season total of 323 (third best on the team). Willis also collected 38 total blocks this season.

“This is a great honor for MacKenzie,” said head volleyball coach Nicole Smith. “She fits the definition of a student-athlete perfectly. She has always been a great student, and her character off the court carries over into her actions on the court.”

The 2007 Fall GSC Honor Roll was also announced Tuesday in conjunction with the all-academic teams. UAM landed 14 student-athletes on the list. Along with Ables, junior kicker Nicholas Green (Hammond, La., 3.13 GPA-Computer Info. Systems), sophomore defensive back Larry Livers (Hammond, La., 3.04 GPA-General Studies), and junior linebacker Larry White (Atlanta, Ga., 3.29 GPA-Health and Physical Education) were named to the honor roll.

Along with Willis in volleyball, sophomore right-side hitter Nicole Ferguson (Brentwood, Tenn., 3.08 GPA-Nursing), junior setter Meagan Martin (Burnet, Texas, 3.22 GPA-Exercise Science), junior outside-hitter Taura Rush (Joseph City, Ariz., 3.8 GPA-Political Science), and sophomore outside-hitter Kara Simnacher (Victoria, Texas, 3.72 GPA) were named to the conference’s honor roll.

Others selected to the 2007 Fall GSC Honor Roll were as follows:
- Chris Ellington         Men’s Cross Country      3.55 GPA-Pre-Dentistry
- Matthew Voskamp   Men’s Cross Country      3.70 GPA-Forestry
- Kate Brady               Women’s CC                 3.51 GPA-Business Administration
- Kim Gibson              Women’s CC                 3.56 GPA-Pre-Med Biology
- Rebecca Smith        Women’s CC                 3.08 GPA-Health & Phys. Ed.

To be selected to the GSC All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must possess at least a 3.20 GPA or better on a 4.00 scale for their entire academic career. Freshmen are not eligible. The other factor necessary is the student-athlete must have been a significant contributor to their respective squads during the most recent season. The teams were nominated and voted for by each GSC school’s Sports Information Director and Faculty Athletic Representative, but neither was allowed to vote for their own student-athletes.