Gloucester resident Josh Crawford, a spring 2012 graduate of Rappahannock Community College, was recently presented the annual Individual Academic Award from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The award recognizes his excellent academic performance while playing for RCC’s baseball team, the Gulls.

Crawford maintained a 3.87 grade-point average to qualify for the NJCAA Award for Superior Academic Achievement, according to RCC spokesperson Tom Martin.

Crawford graduated from Gloucester High School in 2009, and his stellar play on the GHS baseball team led to his recruitment by RCC Gulls coach Jack Moore, Martin said.

Originally, he played outfield for RCC, but he later went on to the positions of third base, catcher, first base and designated hitter.

According to Martin, shoulder and elbow injuries hampered Crawford’s play, but he excelled in the classroom, qualifying for membership in the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society a...