On May 1 the Student Leadership Council and The Office of Student Life and Leadership presented the Student Leadership Awards to outstanding PVCC students at the Annual Student Recognition Celebration. This year, Puma Athletics had the honor of recognizing sophomore Gilbert Olivas of the Puma Cross Country and Track & Field teams.
This year, Puma Athletics had the honor of recognizing Nate Pestka (Cross Country and Track & Field) as the Golden Puma recipient. The Golden Puma Distinguished Student Leadership Award, the highest bestowed upon PVCC students annually, recognizes model students who have integrated academic excellence with achievement in areas such as leadership, athletics, community service, fine and performing arts, entrepreneurship and career achievement.
Nathan Pestka is a 2022 graduate of Shadow High School. He came to PVCC in the Fall 2022 to join the Puma Cross Country and Track & Field programs.
During his freshman year, Pestka was a member of the 2022 NJCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Championship team. He finished 11th overall to help lead the Pumas to their fourth NJCAA National Championship. Pestka was named NJCAA All-American, Honorable Mention for his 11th place finish. He continued his success on the track, finishing 4th at the NJCAA Indoor National Championships in the Distance Medley Relay, earning USTFCCCAA All-American Honors.
Pestka also excelled in the classroom, earning NJCAA 1st Team All-Academic Honors and being named a Puma Scholar-Athlete.
Pestka's Sophomore year has been even more successful. The major highlight was winning the NJCAA Division II Men's Cross Country Championship individual title with a time of 24:49.10. Pestka was named NJCAA 1st Team All-American and helped lead the Puma's to a 4th place finish.
Pestka is continuing his academic success this year. He is currently on track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete again as well as an NJCAA All-Academic Nominee. He was also named USTFCCCCA NJCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Pestka will be graduating from PVCC at the end of this semester with his Associates in Arts. He is planning on transferring to a four-year institution next year to continue running and to pursue his bachelor's degree.
Congratulations Nate!
