Student-Athletes Recognized This Spring

Several student-athletes have been recognized for their outstanding performance as Northampton Community College (NCC) Spartans.  

NCC men’s volleyball student-athletes Luke Smith and John Nice have both been named to the 2025 Men's Volleyball All-Region Team. Smith earned First Team All-Region honors, averaging 2.87 kills per set, which ranked 10th in the NJCAA. His .484 hitting percentage ranked 2nd in the NJCAA, and his 1.70 blocks per set placed him at 4th in the country. Nice was named to the Second Team, ranking 6th in the country in kills per set (3.03) and 5th in service aces per set (0.62). 
 
The Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (EPAC) announced that NCC’s Layla Sweatte and Anisha Sepulveda have been named to the EPAC Women’s Basketball All-Conference Team for 2024-2025. Sweatte, who averaged 20.5ppg, 6.7rpg and 2.0spg, was named the EPAC Player of the Year, the 6th NCC women’s basketball player to earn this honor. Sepulveda earned First Team honors after averaging 18.7ppg, 5.7apg and 3.8spg. Both Sweatte and Sepulveda earned Region 19 postseason honors as well. Sweatte was named a First Team All-Region selection and Sepulveda was tabbed for the Second Team.  

Spartans, Nasir Ruhani and Nate Rivera, have been named to the 2024-2025 EPAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Team. Ruhani was an EPAC First Team selection, leading the Spartans in scoring at 21.1ppg, along with 6.7rpg, 3.0apg and 2.0spg. Rivera was named to the EPAC Second Team after averaging 11.0ppg, while knocking down 62 3-pointers and shooting 38% from behind the arc. Ruhani has been named First Team All-Region as well by the league coaches, after leading the Spartans in scoring at 21.1ppg, which ranked 17th in the country. 

Sweatte and Ruhani rounded out their honors as NJCAA 2025 All-American selections.  

"Layla made such an impact this season," stated Head Coach Carly Gallagher, "She was a force on the offensive end, with the ability to score both inside and out." Sweatte is the 5th NCC women's basketball player to earn NJCAA All-American Honors, joining her assistant coach Tiara Aziz.  

"Nasir had a tremendous year for us," remarked Head Coach Brennan McCarthy, "He has the ability to get to the rim and create opportunities for himself and others." Ruhani becomes the 4th Spartan men's basketball player to earn All-American honors. 

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) proudly announced the recipients of the 2025 NJCAA Men's Scholar All-American Awards. NCC wrapped up its inaugural wrestling season, and NCC wrestlers Xavier Arner and Luke Velekei demonstrated excellence both on the mat and in the classroom to make the All-American Team. Arner (149) and Velekei (184) both qualified for the NJCAA National Championships after winning district titles at the Gulf Atlantic District Championship at Lackawanna in February.  

Congratulations to these students for their hard work and athletic achievements!