ELLISVILLE, Miss. — Four Jones College athletes have been named Tullos Scholars, the highest academic honor awarded to students. Tripp Alexander, Larissa Hubbard, Ridge Jones, and Sydney Clearman earned the recognition, the first since softball player Kat Wallace in 2020, according to the college.
Alexander, a defender on the men’s soccer team from Gulfport, played in 15 games over two seasons. He helped the team to 10 shutouts this year and earned NJCAA All-Academic First Team honors, as well as Distinguished Academic All-MACCC and President’s List recognition twice. Alexander plans to study pre-medicine at Huntingdon College in Alabama. He was part of the 2025 team that went 16-3-3, winning the MACCC and Region 23 titles and reaching the NJCAA Division II Tournament.
Hubbard, a forward from Harrison Central, maintained a spot on the President’s List every semester. She earned NJCAA All-Academic and All-MACCC Academic Team honors and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Hubbard helped the women’s basketball team to a 20-9 record and a semifinal appearance in the Region 23 Tournament. She averaged 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and was named MACCC Player of the Week on Feb. 10. Hubbard will transfer to Lamar University in Texas to major in accounting.
Jones, a tennis player from Northeast Jones High School, contributed to the Bobcats’ MACCC championships in 2025 and 2026 and a Region 23 title in 2025. He was named all-MACCC in those years. Jones posted a 22-8 singles record in 2025 and 19-10 in doubles as a freshman. This spring, he was 19-2 in singles and 18-4 in doubles. He plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and pursue a kinesiology degree, with plans to earn a master’s at William Carey University.
Clearman, a cheerleader from Oak Grove High School, helped the Bobcat cheer squad win the 2026 UCA Open Co-Ed national championship. She is involved with the Bobcat Brigade, Charles Pickering Honors Institute, and PTK. Clearman intends to study biological sciences at Southern Miss and continue her education at UMCC Dental School. Head cheer coach Kate Ewing praised her discipline, leadership, and academic achievements, noting her positive impact on the program and campus community.
Each Tullos Scholar receives a medallion and a $1,000 scholarship, named after donors Gene and Nelda Tullos. The award recognizes students who excel academically, participate in college activities, hold leadership roles, and engage in community service.
