CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –Parkland College Athletics is pleased to announce its Parkland Cobras Athletes of the Year for 2020-2021. Golfer, Scott O'Brien, is the Male Athlete of the Year, and volleyball player, Halle Everett, and softball player, Summer Johnson, are Co-Female Athletes of the Year.
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This past season, O'Brien helped lead the golf team to the program's first NJCAA DII National Championship. On the way to the national tournament, Cobras Golf won the District Championship and the MWAC Championship, along with 5 regular-season tournament victories.
 
"I am very happy to be given the honor of Male Athlete of the Year," expressed O'Brien. "The best part of the year would have to be going to nationals. The week itself was so fun with the group we had, and to win it was really the icing on the cake! Coach Sebens, he has helped me a lot in my time here at Parkland, and my game has definitely seen a huge improvement because of this. I can't wait to see what we can do next year!"
 
O'Brien, from Co. Tipperary, Ireland, was named to the NJCAA All-America Second Team as well as the GCAA Ping All-America Team. In addition, he was on the NJCAA All-Region 24 Team, the GCAA DII All-Region East Team, and the All-MWAC Team. He finished the season ranked 10th nationally, averaging 74.09 strokes over 23 rounds. The Borrisokane Community College alum won medalist honors at NJCAA Central District Championship, as the team qualified for the national tournament. He was also medalist at the Illinois Valley Fall Invitational and the Panther Creek Invite, as he finished the season with six top-10 and nine top-20 finishes.
 
"I couldn't be more proud of Scott for everything he has achieved so far, and this is another very well-deserved honor to add to his long list of accomplishments," stated Head Coach Corbin Sebens. "He led us again for the second-consecutive year, winning four tournaments that included a very dominating performance at the District Championship. We are very lucky Scott will be returning for another year, and we cannot wait to see how good he can become!"
 
O'Brien is the son of Eamon and Elaine O'Brien. His academic interests include Business Administration.
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This past season, Everett helped lead Cobras Volleyball to 33-2 overall record, finishing as Runner-Up in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament after winning championships in both the Central B District and the Mid-West Athletic Conference.
 
"Being a part of Parkland Volleyball has been one of the best decisions that I have been able to make," reflected Everett. "I have learned so much, not only about the game, but also about myself, as a person and an athlete. I know I could not do all of this on my own. Parkland Volleyball is truly a group of people who are in my corner, and I am so grateful!"
 
Everett, from Norris City, Ill, was selected to both the 2020-21 NJCAA DII Volleyball All-America First Team and the AVCA Spring 2021 Two-Year College All-America First Team. She ranked nationally in several key categories, including: 8th in points per set (5.0), 10th in kills per set (4.13), 34th in hitting percentage (.309), and 58th in service aces per set (.5). In the four matches of the national tournament, she recorded 61 kills with a .320 overall hitting percentage and was chosen to the 2020-21 NJCAA Division II National Tournament Team. For her play during the week of February 8-14, she was named the Sports Imports/AVCA Women's Two-Year College Player of the Week, by the AVCA, and the Tachikara 2020-21 NJCAA DII Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week, by the NJCAA. In addition to these national awards, Everett was chosen 2020-21 Player of the Year for both Region 24 and the MWAC conference. Compared to her Cobras teammates, the Norris City-Omaha-Enfield High School alum led the team in kills, kills per set, total attacks, service aces, total points, and points per set.
 
"Volleyball is a team sport, and Halle would be the first to recognize her teammates as a very important reason for her being where she is today," said Head Coach Cliff Hastings. "But I'm extremely happy for Halle in continuing to win these individual awards, as well. As a coach, it's always heart-warming to watch a humble kid with a top-notch work ethic achieve goals she puts forth for herself and be recognized for the hard work and accomplishments."
 
Everett is the daughter of Chad and Dawn Everett. Her academic pursuits include Science.
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This past season, Johnson helped lead the Cobras softball team to a 53-9 overall record, finishing in the Elite Eight at the NJCAA DII National Tournament after winning championships in both the NJCAA Central A District and the Mid-West Athletic Conference.
 
"Parkland has been a huge part of my life!" exclaimed Johnson. "I have been fortunate enough to meet amazing teammates and friends as well as participate in a National Tournament. The coaches have had an enormous effect on my journey at Parkland as a student-athlete. I will be able to take the things I learned at Parkland and use them for the rest of my life."
 
Johnson, from Oblong, Ill., was named to both the NJCAA DII All-America First Team and the NFCA DII All-America First Team this season. She produced a .446 batting average and was ranked 26th, nationally, in on base percentage (.567) and 12th in slugging percentage (1.000). In addition, she ranked 3rd in home runs (25), 4th in runs scored (83), 5th in RBIs (83), 8th in total bases (175), and 18th in hits (78). Based on her performances during the week of March 22-28, she was awarded NJCAA DII Softball Player of the Week. In addition to her national awards, the Oblong High School alum was the 2021 Region 24 Player of the Year and the 2021 Mid-West Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Compared to her Cobras teammates, she led the team in home runs (25) and slugging percentage (1.000). She ranked 2nd on the team in runs scored (83) and RBIs (83) and was tied for 3rd in hits (78).
 
"Summer is certainly deserving of this award," expressed Co-Head Coach Kristi Paulson.  "Her achievements speak for themselves, but what really resonates with (Co-Head Coach Dan Paulson and me) is how hard Summer has worked to earn those achievements. Her commitment to improving her game, each and every day, has led to her successes."
 
Johnson is the daughter of Mike and Pam Johnson. Her academic pursuits include Psychology.