Carissa Allen and Brett Lindsey recognized by NJCAA
Two students at Dakota County Technical College, Carissa Allen, a sophomore fullback on the women’s soccer team, and Brett Lindsey, a sophomore shortstop on the baseball team, were recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association with Academic Student-Athlete Awards as Athletes of Distinction. Allen received the Superior Academic Achievement Award, earning a 3.9 GPA. Lindsey received the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, earning a 3.78 GPA.
Blue Knights women’s soccer competes in NJCAA Division I. The team finished the 2013–2014 season with an 8–7–2 record. Blue Knights baseball competes in NJCAA Division II. The team finished the 2013–2014 season with a 21–14 record and a second consecutive NJCAA Region 13 Tournament championship.
More about the new NJCAA Athletes of Distinction at DCTC
Carissa Allen
- Age: 20
- Hometown: Savage, Minn.
- Residence now: Savage, Minn.
- 2012 Burnsville High School graduate
- Area of study: Individualized Studies A.S.
Carissa Allen is transferring to the University of Minnesota, Duluth, in fall 2014 as an accounting major. Carissa received a $4,000 Chancellor’s Transfer Scholarship from UMD in recognition of her academic achievements at DCTC.
She chose DCTC after talking with Cam Stoltz, the team’s former head coach (read “Mark Obarski Hired as Women’s Soccer Coach” in DCTC News). Cam’s wife was Carissa’s first- and third-grade teacher so a connection with the college was already in place.
“Playing soccer for DCTC helped me gain confidence,” said Carissa, who served as a student senator and a member of the 2013–2014 Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). “I got my feet on the ground and came out of my shell. The college’s small class sizes gave me the chance to communicate directly with my instructors. All the sports teams at DCTC are very supportive of each other. I’ve made some great friends.”
Carissa has coached U8 and U10 boys rec soccer. She continues to work at a Chinese restaurant, a job she has held for four years. She has two older siblings, Mandy, 26, and Brett, 25. She enjoys family time and grew up going to Mandy and Brett’s soccer and basketball games.
- Best thing about soccer: “Soccer is an all-around team sport. It takes everyone to win.”
- Advice for college athletes trying to balance sports and academics: “Don’t procrastinate and use your free time wisely. Road trips are a great time to get homework done.”
- Favorite movie of late: 21 Jump Street
- Favorite book of late: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
- Favorite TV shows: Veronica Mars and One Tree Hill
- Favorite music of late: SoMo
- Favorite sports team: U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team
Cam Stoltz on Carissa Allen: “Carissa was the perfect player for us. She came to DCTC for practical reasons and could have gone basically anywhere. She is highly dedicated to soccer and played virtually every minute of her freshman and sophomore seasons. Carissa is a solid, core player.”
Brett Lindsey
- Age: 20
- Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
- Residence now: Eagan, Minn.
- 2012 Eagan High School graduate
- Area of study: Individualized Studies A.S.
In fall 2014, Brett Lindsey is transferring to Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Brett will play baseball for the Tigers on a full-ride scholarship. He is planning to major in biology or chemistry with the career goal of becoming a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF.
Brett played baseball year-round in high school. In 2011, he was in a car accident that left him in a coma for four days. Physical therapy lasted more than a year—he had to learn how to walk again, but he played baseball for the Eagan Wildcats his senior year.
During the 2013–2014 season, Brett batted .364 with 11 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. As a fielder, he had 84 total chances with only four errors.
When he’s not playing baseball or hanging out with his friends, Brett is practicing baseball with his father. “My dad has been a big influence on my success,” he said.
Brett was exceptionally involved at DCTC beyond baseball, serving on various Student Senate committees and as a member of the 2013–2014 Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). “Attending DCTC allowed me to find out who I am and who I want to be,” he said. He has one older sister, Payton, 17, a senior at Eagan High School.
- Best thing about baseball: “The game is never over until the last out is made.”
- Advice for college athletes trying to balance sports and academics: “Our coach, Trent Seaman, made sure we set time aside for studying. He knows college is more than baseball.”
- Favorite movies: Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen
- Favorite books: Athlete biographies
- Favorite TV shows: Survivor and The Amazing Race (but mostly ESPN)
- Favorite music of late: Dan + Shay
- Favorite sports team: New York Yankees
Trent Seaman on Brett Lindsey: “I have known Brett since he was fifteen years old. One thing that I admire about him is his ability to give his best effort in whatever he does. Once given a task to accomplish, he will do whatever it takes to complete that task to the best of his ability. This trait will separate him from his fellow workers and allow him to excel and move up the corporate ladder. He has always been a great baseball player, student, teammate, friend and leader since I have known him. As a result of these traits, he is now an NJCAA Athlete of Distinction.”
For more information about NJCAA athletics at DCTC, visit GoBlueKnights.com, or contact:
- Cam Stoltz
Athletic Coordinator
Men’s Soccer Head Coach
651-423-8462
For more information about Blue Knights baseball at DCTC, contact:
- Trent Seaman
Baseball Head Coach
651-423-8223
For more information about Blue Knights women’s soccer at DCTC, contact:
- Mark Obarski
Women’s Soccer Head Coach
651-423-8462
