Atlantic Cape awards student-athletes’ accomplishments
Atlantic Cape Community College’s student-athletes were honored for their accomplishments both in sports and academics this month at the fifth annual Athletics Awards Luncheon at Harbor Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township.
Coaches and players in each of the 10 athletic programs were recognized for their Buccaneer spirit throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
“You have devoted your time and effort to all of your practices, games and tournaments. It takes dedication and focus to successfully juggle the demands of your studies and your sport, and you have all risen to the challenge,” outgoing Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba. “I know that your coaches, advisors, teammates, and families have all contributed to your success by supporting and guiding you along the way, and for that we are all very, very grateful.”
She shared some of the highlights from the Buccaneers 2025-26 athletics season.. Then Gaba thanked the unsung heroes critical to the student–athlete’s accomplishments: their parents, families, friends and supporters.
Gaba also stressed the importance that athletics plays in Atlantic Cape’s mission.
“Athletics has been an integral part of life at Atlantic Cape since our inception, and it’s been one of my priorities as president to see that the program continues to flourish. We’ve seen it grow over the last nine years,” she said. “Participating in collegiate athletics has so many benefits from developing new friendships and honing your skills to working as a team and so much more. It’s also a chance to make a positive and lasting impact on your fellow students and on the college community. It gives us all another reason to be proud of our college.”
Gaba — who is retiring — also was recognized for her unwavering commitment to the students and the athletics program itself.
“This (athletics program) would not have been made possible without the belief, determination and support of our president, Dr. Gaba. Around 2019, she said to me that she didn’t understand why we didn’t have athletics,” said Dr. Natalie Devonish, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “I know that Atlantic and Cape May counties are the most competitive counties in the State of New Jersey. Knowing that means that if you’re going to be a part of this community, you have to invest in athletics and that is what she did.
“We have gone from four sports to 10 and that shows commitment,” she continued. “For that, Dr. Gaba, we thank you.”
Coaches presented student-athletes with awards.
Archery
Head Coach: John Repnicki
Assistant Coach: John Ward
New Male Archer of the Year: Anthony Varela–Alvarez
New Female Archer of the Year: Tabitha McGinty
Baseball
Head Coach: Alex Tafaro
Assistant Coaches: Joseph Schipsi and Ryan Jose
Most Valuable Player: Andrew Craig
Men’s Basketball
Head Coach: Allen Ragland
Assistant Coach: Jamal Edwards
Most Valuable Player: Olyn Knox
Women’s Basketball
Head Coach: Ricky White
Assistant Coaches: Lamar James and Rodney Scriven
Buccaneer Award: Allison Osorio Giraldo
Most Valuable Player: Rainelle Blocker
Women’s Cross Country
Head Coach: Shane Ritchie
Most Valuable Player: Alexandra Ramirez
Guts and Glory Award: Alexandra Ramirez
Men’s Soccer
Head Coach: Luis Paz
Assistant Coach: Chase Spencer
Most Valuable Player: Matthew Sanchez
Most Improved Athlete: Christopher Cuazitl–Daniel
Women’s Soccer
Head Coach: Wesley Raywood
Assistant Coach: Abigail Flemming
Buccaneers Award: Anette Bautista Escobedo
Most Valuable Player: Braelyn Brant
Men’s Volleyball
Head Coach: Karla Maisto
Assistant Coach: Josh Concepcion
Most Valuable Player: Isaac Fishman
Most Improved Player: Justin Sawyer
Women’s Volleyball
Head Coach: Karla Maisto
Assistant Coach: Josh Concepcion
Most Valuable Player: Rainelle Blocker
The following student-athletes were recognized for being named to the All-Academic Team for earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher:
Archery
Emily Gavrell, Tabitha McGinty, Gianna Tanner and Anthony Varela–Alvarez
Baseball
Angelo Gonzalez, Logan Hammer, Jeanpaul Matos and Josh Witmer
Men’s Basketball
Aidan Haluszka, Amin Hines, Olyn Knox, Jayden Lopez, Carlos Rodriquez, Logan Sparks and Corey Thomas.
Women’s Basketball
Lanique Brice, Samantha Cosme, Allison Osorio Giraldo, Millinda Marigliano and Alexandra Montoya.
Women’s Cross Country
Alexandra Ramirez
Esports
Alexander Barr, Matthew Chow, Carlos Jimenez, Cristal Mendoza, Mario Ruiz–Castro and Joanna Tran
Men’s Soccer
Carlvin Altidor, Jancarlos Bados, Daniel Lopez, Jon Midgette, Christopher Minshall, Alexander Rebolledo and Caleb Winkelspecht
Women’s Soccer
Anette Bautista Escobedo, Angelina Bell, Braelyn Brant, Alyssa Bybee, Samantha Cosme, Rosalie Jogno, Gisselle Lopez, Millinda Marigliano, Gabriela Nunez Ruiz and Sandra Tuso.
Women’s Volleyball
Alexandra Ditzel, Keona Estaris, Yariliz Flores, Grace Macedo, Nicole Moyano, Victoria Profaci and Yanitza Visciglia
Men’s Volleyball
Isaac Fishman, Daymeon Hallock, Triet “Jake” Khuc, Brandon Stolfo, Matthew Vibora and Matthew Viruet
Thirty-four student-athletes representing the Class of 2026 were presented with a framed commemorative Atlantic Cape Buccaneers athletics patch for their contributions to their respective athletic programs.
“I want to thank the parents,” Athletic Director Jamal Edwards said. “We appreciate all of the time you have been put in since they were three, four and five years old. It’s not always easy when you send your child off to college, trust me, I know.
“Trust is a big word, and you’re trusting men and women with your child. We do the best we can to make sure they’re in a position to be successful in life and academics. All of my coaches treat your young men and women like they are their own. We do our best to be there so hopefully in the future they can take care of us.”
