Lake Land College Honors Athletes' Academic Achievements

Lake Land College honored Coleman Engelkes of Charleston and Deidre Ledbetter of Altamont with the 2016 Athlete of the Year awards at the at the Laker Academics Awards Gala.

In addition, more than 20 athletes were honored for their hard work and academic success during their time as Lake Land athletes.

In order to be considered for the Athlete of the Year award, nominees must have at least a 3.65 GPA. All Laker coaches nominated athletes based on academic, athletic and off-the-field performance, as well as leadership skills. Out of that pool, the coaches and Bryan Burrell, academic counselor who advises athletes, voted on a female and male athlete.

Engelkes said in his acceptance speech that he was very humbled to receive the award, but said it wouldn’t have been possible without so many of his supporters along the way, thanking his coaches, teammates and family.

“Being a student athlete at Lake Land College has provided me with the opportunities and experiences needed in order to be successful in wherever life may take me,” he said. “And I am very thankful for that.”

Engelkes is continuing his education this fall at Illinois State University where he plans on majoring in agribusiness.

Deidre Ledbetter said without the guidance of Lake Land faculty members, she wouldn’t have been as successful as she was during her two years there. 

“Being on the softball team has done more for me than just win softball games,” she said. “Being an athlete has taught me how important it is to be involved in activities outside of sports, meet new people and to truly appreciate life.”

Ledbetter is continuing her education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she will begin pharmacy school.

During the ceremony, the following 29 athletes were honored:

Anna Albaugh*, softball

Felix Baez*, baseball

Kassidy Bonebrake, honor’s list, women’s basketball

Hayden Cole, dean’s list, baseball

Layne Curley, dean’s list, women’s basketball

Nathalya De Souza*, volleyball

Jillian Deters, dean’s list, women’s basketball

Robert DeVries*, men’s basketball

Coleman Engelkes, dean’s list, baseball

Courtney Flach*, women’s basketball

Brittany Fore, president’s list, softball

John Giboyeaux, president’s list, baseball

Ian Goatley*, cheerleading

Maci Kyger, honor’s list, women’s basketball

Deidre Ledbetter, dean’s list, softball

Jeffery Martin*, men’s basketball

Edwar Melendez, president’s list, baseball

Jessica Miller*, cheerleading

Angel Miranda*, baseball

Tegan Murphy, softball*

Haylee Neilson*, volleyball

Dymond Randle, women’s basketball*

Taylor Rich, dean’s list, cheerleading

Michelle Smithenry, president’s list, cheerleading 

Tyler Schuring*, men’s basketball

Jordan Thoele*, baseball

John Thomas*, baseball

Daria Voronina, honor’s list, volleyball

Blake Wellinghoff*, baseball

Dallas Wilson*, baseball

Students on the honor’s list earned a 3.50-3.64 cumulative GPA, students on the dean’s list earned a 3.65-3.79 cumulative GPA and students on the president’s list earned a 3.80-4.0 cumulative GPA.

An asterisk by an athlete’s name indicates he or she is a freshman or transfer student who earned a 3.5-4.0 GPA during fall 2015.