EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Atlantic Cape Community College honored its Buccaneers student-athletes for their hard work, determination and perseverance in the classroom as well as on their respective fields and courts of play this year at the 5th Annual Athletics Awards Luncheon on May 8 at Harbor Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township.
Each of the College’s 10 athletic program coaches and players were recognized and applauded by College staff and faculty, along with family, friends and guests for their Buccaneer spirit throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba congratulated all of the student–athletes on a successful season that brought excitement and pride to Buccaneers nation.
“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,” said 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.”
After proudly sharing some of the outstanding highlights from the Buccaneers 2025-26 athletics season, Gaba thanked the unsung heroes who are 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,” said Gaba. “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.”
Dr. Natalie Devonish, vice president, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, and 10 student–athletes representing each of the College’s athletics programs took a moment to recognize and thank Dr. Gaba 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. I knew 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 be a part of this community, you have to invest in athletics and that is what she did,” said Devonish. “We have gone from four sports to 10 and that shows commitment. For that, Dr. Gaba, we thank you.”
On this evening, awards were presented by the respective coach(es) to their student-athletes for excelling in their particular athletic program:
- Archery (Head Coach John Repnicki and Assistant Coach John Ward): New Male Archer of the Year, Anthony Varela–Alvarez and 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 and Assistant Coach Jamal Edwards): Most Valuable Player, Olyn Knox.
- Women’s Basketball (Head Coach Ricky White, and Assistant Coaches Lamar James and Rodney Scriven): Buccaneer Award, Allison Osorio Giraldo and Most Valuable Player, Rainelle Blocker.
- Women’s Cross Country (Head Coach Shane Ritchie): Most Valuable Player, Alexandra Ramirez and Guts and Glory Award, Alexandra Ramirez.
- Men’s Soccer (Head Coach Luis Paz and Assistant Coach Chase Spencer): Most Valuable Player, Matthew Sanchez and Most Improved Athlete, Christopher Cuazitl–Daniel.
- Women’s Soccer (Head Coach Wesley Raywood and Assistant Coach Abigail Flemming): Buccaneers Award, Anette Bautista Escobedo and Most Valuable Player, Braelyn Brant.
- Men’s Volleyball (Head Coach Karla Maisto and Assistant Coach Josh Concepcion): Most Valuable Player, Isaac Fishman and Most Improved Player, Justin Sawyer.
- Women’s Volleyball (Head Coach Karla Maisto and 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.
- 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.
Athletic Director Jamal Edwards thanked the student–athlete’s parents for entrusting their sons and daughters to the capable hands of the College’s coaches, faculty and staff.
“I want to thank the parents. 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,” said Edwards. “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.”
View a photo gallery from this event on Flickr here.
Learn more about Atlantic Cape Athletics at atlanticcape.edu/athletics.
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About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States-accredited, Hispanic-serving institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and 34 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City, and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and to its highly acclaimed Nursing program for more than 60 years. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
