Two Former Women's Lacrosse Players Inducted Into NJCAA Hall of Fame

Courtesy of AACC Athletics

ARNOLD, Md. – The NJCAA has announced two honorees to be inducted into the 2024 NJCAA Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame class. Former Anne Arundel Community College student-athletes Courtney Highsmith '07 and Jenny Deans '05 will be inducted Friday, May 10, in conjunction with the 2024 NJCAA Women's Lacrosse National Invitational hosted by Harford Community College.

"Both Courtney and Jenny were integral parts of the beginning stages of our program," said AACC Head Coach Jim Griffiths. "They helped developed the culture and winning mentality that has been a staple of our program ever since."

Highsmith, a Crofton native and graduate of South River, was a two-way midfielder for the then-Pioneers for two seasons and helped lead the team to back-to-back NJCAA National Championship titles in 2006 and 2007. She was a two-time first-team All-Region 20 honoree, a two-time first-team All-Maryland JUCO selection, and a two-time first-team All-American. In 2007, Highsmith was named the Offensive MVP of the NJCAA national tournament. She concluded her career at AACC with 84 goals and 17 assists before being a two-year starter at Siena College where she was a member of the 2008 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Academic team. In 2010 and 2011, Highsmith made her way back to Anne Arundel as a volunteer assistant coach.

"Courtney was unquestionably one of the top players to ever wear an AACC uniform," said Griffiths. "Her performance on the field as a two-way midfielder was unmatched. That combined with her leadership and will to win led to two national championships and the undefeated 2007 season."

A Davidsonville native and graduate of Annapolis High School, Deans captained the team and played low defense in 2004 and 2005 for the then-Pioneers, and is known as one of the cornerstones of the AACC women's lacrosse program. She was a two-time All-American and a member of the All-Region 20 and All-Maryland JUCO teams, adding NJCAA All-Academic honors in 2005. Prior to her sophomore season, Deans was named the 2005 Preseason Player of the Year by Lacrosse Magazine. She continued her collegiate career at Pfeiffer University where she was a member of the 2006 and 2007 Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) All-Tournament teams. She was named the 2007 CVAC Player of the Year and earned All-CVAC first team honors. Deans is the aunt of current AACC women's lacrosse student-athlete Ashlynn Deans.

"Jenny was a member of the inaugural 2004 team, and as a two-year captain was one of the key reasons for our success," said Griffiths. "She was a shut-down defender and led by example on and off the field."

Highsmith and Deans join former Pioneer Jenn Gappert-Phelps in the NJCAA Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Gappert-Phelps was inducted in the Hall of Fame's second class in 2014.