It was announced by the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) this week that three former Long Beach City College men's soccer athletes were named to the men's Academic All-State Team. Ari Claro, Jesse Funes, and Andrew Geber were amongst a select few in the state to haul in these prestigious accolades.

Claro, a defender for one year at LBCC, maintained a flawless 4.0 grade-point-average while strapped in the Black and Red. His talents on the pitch earned him a First-Team All-Conference selection and the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player award. In 22 games played, Claro started in 20 of those games while scoring two goals and manned the defensive backline to a tee. Currently, Claro is signed with the Concordia University Eagles at the Division II level. He has played in 12 games while recording three assists. The Eagles currently sit in third place in the Pac West Conference.

Funes was a solid two-year contributor to the Long Beach program by playing in 38 games and starting in all but one contest. During his career, Funes fired home two goals and recorded three assists to equal seven points. His talents were recognized by being selected to the Second-Team All-Conference list in 2014, then making the jump to First-Team All-Conference in 2015. Furthermore, he was the conference's Defensive Most Valuable Player runner-up in 2015. Funes was offered a scholarship to play at Concordia University, but respectfully declined to pursue an alternative academic path.

Gerber provided a solid foot in the midfield for the Vikings for two years by playing in 33 games and starting in four. He netted two goals in his career, with his biggest coming in the conference championship contest against Pasadena for the game-winner in 2015. Gerber received the Coaches Award in 2015 for his dedication to the team and value to the program. Following his final campaign as a Viking, Gerber accepted a scholarship to play for the Adams State University Grizzlies in Colorado at the Division II level. Gerber has clocked a total of 459 minutes on the field in 12 games played.

Head Coach Cameron Beaulac is very proud of these three recipients.

"Our goal is move our student athletes on to four year universities where they can be successful both in the classroom and on the soccer field. To have three players make the State All-Academic Team in one year is a credit to their dedication in the classroom, and ability to manage being both a successful student and athlete," said Beaulac.

Coach Beaulac also credited both Student Athletic Advisor Mary Hegarty and Athletic Counselor Rourke O'Leary in helping these young men reach this accolade.