Five members of the College of the Canyons women’s soccer program have been named to the 2016 California Community College Athletic Association Women’s Soccer Academic All-State Team. The five honorees from COC are the most from any community college in the state.

A total of 37 players representing 18 schools were selected for inclusion on this year’s CCCAA Academic All-State Team. Honorees must have participated in at least one season of soccer and completed at least 24 semester units with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Awards are based on the 2015-16 academic year.

The group of honorees from COC includes:
* Jade Ane — Liberal Studies major

* Amanda Balzer —Automotive Technology major

* Hanna Halstead — Business Accounting major

* Kianna Hemphill — Sociology major

* Isabella Hochner — American Sign Language major

“This group of hardworking, dedicated student-athletes has embraced the ‘student first’ mentality that we promote at College of the Canyons,” said Albert Loaiza, athletic counselor at the college. “Head coach Justin Lundin has done a tremendous job building a supportive academic environment into his program, which these girls have been able to benefit from. They should all be proud of this accomplishment.”

Aside from being stars in the classroom, this group has also made significant contributions on the field. Balzer and Hochner were both All-Western State Conference (WSC) First Team Honorees in 2015. Meanwhile Halstead and Hemphill were both named All-WSC Second Team that same season, with Ane also providing a strong defensive presence on a team that won the 2015 WSC, South Division Championship — the programs fifth consecutive conference title.

“I am extremely proud of our Academic All-State Team members,” said COC head coach Justin Lundin. “They have exhibited the drive and dedication needed to be successful both in the classroom and on the field, and are representative of what is means to be a College of the Canyons student-athlete.”

For more information about the College of the Canyons women’s soccer program please visit www.COCathletics.com.