On May 10 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 Jesse Avina of the Puma Track and Field team.
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.
Jesse Avina is a 2020 graduate of Buena High School in Sierra Vista, AZ and came to PVCC in the Fall 2020 to join our Track and Field program.
During his Freshman Outdoor Track and Field season in Spring 2021, Jesse set the school record in the Men's Javelin with a throw of 61.87m and was the 2021 NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Champion in the Javelin.
Academically, Jesse excelled just as much. He was named a Puma Scholar Athlete for the 2020-2021 school year and was also named to the NJCAA All-Academic Second Team (3.80 – 3.99 GPA).
Jesse is continuing his success both athletically and academically this year. He has qualified for the NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in the Javelin and is currently ranked 3rd in the country. He will be competing to next week to defend his 2021 National Championship at the 2022 NJCAA Outdoor National Championships in Hutchinson, KS May 19-21. He is also on track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete again as well as an NJCAA All-Academic Nominee.
Jesse will be graduating from PVCC at the end of this Spring semester with his Associates in Arts. He is planning on transferring to a four-year institution next year to continue throwing and to pursue his bachelor's degree.
Congratulations Jesse!
