Sophomore defender Sho Kinjo and freshman forward Masaki Tsuji of the Barton Community College men's soccer team have been named to the United Soccer Coaches' 2025 Junior College Division I All-America first team, headlining a trio of Cougar selections.
The duo are among the nation's the Top-15 players, with sophomore goalkeeper Gabriel Bergamin joining them on All-West Region list.
The honors cap a standout 2025 campaign in which the Cougars earned a No. 4 final national ranking and made their second national tournament appearance in three seasons, the program's seventh overall, finishing the year 17–5–2.
Both Kinjo and Tsuji have been invited to be honored in person at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony & Reception on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, held in conjunction with the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention.
The trio's postseason recognition brings fourth-year Head Coach Rafael Simmons to six total USC honorees, joining Maxence Voiner (2024), Lucas Constante (2023), and Nicolas Galanis (2023).
Sho Kinjo – First Team All-America, All-West Region - A sophomore defender from Daito, Japan, Kinjo anchored Barton's defensive structure, helping the Cougars post seven clean sheets and allow one goal or fewer in 13 matches. One of the squad's most reliable presences, he previously earned his second straight All-KJCCC/Region 6 First Team selection this fall.
Masaki Tsuji – First Team All-America, All-West Region - Tsuji, a freshman forward from Tokyo, Japan, was also a first-team All-KJCCC/Region 6 selection as one of the area's most dangerous finishers earning three KJCCC and two NJCAA Player of the Week awards leading the team in goals (14) and points (33) while dishing out a team second-best assists (5).
Gabriel Bergamin – All-West Region - A two-time KJCCC Goalkeeper of the Week, Bergamin returned from an early season injury as the sophomore from Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil, allowed just four goals in regular-season appearances while posting a standout 0.53 goals-against average, .826 save percentage, four shutouts, and seven wins.