PAC Athletes Bring Home The Straight A's and Game-Winning Plays

Fresh off the Men's Basketball team's exciting tournament championship qualification, the Palo Alto College Palominos are also celebrating important academic victories. Six student-athletes across the basketball and volleyball teams have earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, proving that success on the field and in the classroom go hand-in-hand. 

Balancing rigorous training schedules with challenging coursework is no easy feat. But these student-athletes—Connor Renschler, Nathaniel Wilbanks, Arleth Guerrero, Averie Maldonado, Mia Villarreal, and Madison Almaraz—have proven it to be possible.

After sitting down with a few of these athletes, they shared their tips for success. 

Freshman basketball player and business major Nathaniel Wilbanks is one of six student-athletes who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. From a young age, Wilbanks' love for basketball instilled in him the work ethic that has allowed him to maintain his grades high and participate in games. However, he confesses it was an unexpected honor to receive a 4.0 GPA. 

"I never actually thought I'd reach a 4.0," shared Wilbanks. "But now that I did, I know I have what it takes."

He credits his success to maintaining a consistent schedule that limits procrastination and creates windows for decompression time. "Don't let the workload scare you," says Wilbanks. Make a schedule for yourself and stick to it, and if you need help, don't be afraid to ask."

This sentiment is echoed by veterinary tech major and volleyball player Mia Villareal.

“My biggest advice is ask as many questions as you need, use as many resources as are available, and take opportunities as they come because those are few and far between,” says Villarreal. 

Mia acknowledges that she initially felt uncertain about managing her time, but she found a support system through her teammates that motivated her to be a leader. “The girls on the team motivate me. They taught me to lean on others for support when needed and how to be strong for others, and that's made all the difference.” 

Teammate Arleth Guerrero, a first-year nursing student, calls the team a “sisterhood.” 

“It’s a comfort to know they have your back in and outside of school,” shared Guerrero. “The hardest part so far has been keeping the motivation, but knowing my team and family are looking up to me helps me remember the big picture.” 

For Arleth, the big picture involves chasing her dream of becoming a nurse while not giving up on the game that brings her joy. “I want to play for as long as I can, and with this new athletics website, it’s really opened up some opportunities for us to make connections and post our film,” said Guerrero.

The PAC Athletics website, launched this spring semester, is a game-changing recruiting tool. It’s a place where athletes can create profiles, share highlight reels, and network with coaches from around the country. 

The added exposure means that students like basketball athlete and business student Conner Renschler, who is working toward a professional career in sports, now have a way to present themselves on a broader stage. Having been featured on the site once already for his volunteer services in a Free Basketball Clinic hosted by the PAC Athletics Department at the Miller’s Pond Community Center, Renschler is well on his way to making his mark on the sport. 

“Basketball is my main motivation. I’ve been playing half my life and hope to continue,” shared Renschler. “It [basketball] is something I can have fun with because it’s only ever worth it if it makes you happy.”

For athletes like Connor Renschler, the drive to succeed off the court is deeply rooted in a love for the game. His passion for basketball fuels his ambition and reminds him that pursuing success should always be aligned with personal happiness. 

Athletics Director Matt Gillette shared a similar sentiment, highlighting the significance of these student-athletes’ accomplishments—not only for their individual growth but also for the college as a whole.

“I’m really proud of these athletes. They are the first group of student-athletes who have gone through our new academic requirements, and they’ve not only met but exceeded every expectation—without hesitation or complaint. They’re a remarkable group, and they truly embody the values of Palo Alto College. It’s an honor to have them represent our program, and now we get to show them off like never before!”

Whether on the court, in the classroom, or beyond, these students are setting the bar high and paving the way for future students. Follow along as these athletes continue to break barriers and push boundaries by following Palo Alto College Athletics on Facebook, pac.athletics on Instagram, or by visiting dlokoko.com/pac/athletics.