Indians have their ducks in a row

The McCook Community College Indians have their ducks in a row, so to speak. The MCC men's basketball team is ranked second in the nation for academic achievements, and two MCC women have All American status for classroom work, according to the National Junior College Athletic Association, which recently compiled team rankings and announced individual honors based on grade-point average.

"We are very proud of our athletes and their academic awards," said Chet DeVaughn, who, as MCC athletic director, is justified in feeling that way.

According to a release from the college, the MCC men's team compiled a 3.23 grade point average on a 4.0 grading scale, placing it second among 210 teams competing in the NJCCA Division I basketball. In addition, MCC's women were 14 among 181 teams with a 3.29 grade-point average, and the MCC women's softball team was 34th among 146 teams, with a 3.02 GPA.

"They are all a class act, which reflects the hard work our coaches and athletes do on and off the competitive field," DeVaughn said.

But that doesn't mean teamwork isn't involved in off-the-field endeavors as well.

"Compiling these teams is a great way to show how kids can work together as a team and focus toward a team goal outside of sports," said Ty Orton, MCC men's basketball coach. "One of our first team goals each year is that everybody does well academically," he said. "You never know when a knee is going to give out or something doesn't work out on the court, so we are trying to build a strong academic foundation for them to achieve whatever goals they have outside sports."

This team has study table four times a week for an hour a day, and the baseball team meets six times a week. "They look out for each other and when the semester begins, they vote on the academic rules that will make them successful," Orton said. "As a coach, you can't do it for them, but you can lay the groundwork for them to go on."

Judging from those rules, team members know what will make them classroom winners: No headphones during study table. Sit in the first three rows of class. If you fail a test, extra study table time.

"These are rules the kids voted on, and it all goes back to the team-building philosophy, and it's all geared toward making our students successful on and off the floor."

We wish all of our McCook Community College athletes well in their competition on the diamond or on the court. But we know, judging from the results in the classroom, they'll do well there as well.