The VC softball team isn't just tearing it up on the field. It was one of four local programs to earn state scholar teams last month, when the California Community College Athletic Association announced its 2010-11 academic honors.

The Ventura College women's swimming (3.20 GPA) and softball (3.11 GPA) teams earned the award, which is given to the one program in the state in each sport that best balances athletic and academic success.

"It is indeed special to have Ventura College students excel both in athletic competition and in the classroom," said Ventura College president Robin Calote in a release. "It is to the credit of both (teams) that (they) have been so successful at emphasizing the importance of academic performance as well as team success."

Moorpark College was honored in both men's track (3.01 GPA) and women's track (3.17 GPA).

"That's awesome," said Moorpark track coach Traycie Kephart. "That's what they're here for."

The awards were fitting, considering the Moorpark track teams had nine members on last year's Academic All-State team, including Garrett Demerjian (decathlon), Nami Paghavi (sprints), Johan Karlsson,Tyler Regan (throws), Andrew Scott (throws) from the men and Jennifer Konish (throws), Nicole Rietveld (distance), Bailey Schentrup (sprints, jumps), Jessica Serrano (distance) from the women.

Rietveld and Schentrup are members of this year's team.