BATON ROUGE — The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes honored six LSU student-athletes for their academic achievements and community service for the month of November.
Each month, five student-athletes are recognized for their academic improvement, dedication and proven ability. In addition, one student-athlete will be chosen through the CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success) program for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.
November’s Student-Athletes of the Month are LaSondra Barrett (Women’s Basketball), Laura Carleton (Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field), Wet Delatte (Baseball), Richard Dickson (Football) and Samantha Goates (Women’s Swimming and Diving). James Cluskey (Men’s Tennis) was chosen as the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills Student-Athlete of the Month.
Barrett, a freshman forward from Jackson, Miss., has made three starts in five games for the Lady Tigers basketball team. She is second on the squad, averaging 8.6 points per game and poured in a career-best 15 points against Middle Tennessee last Sunday.
A freshman distance runner from Lake Charles, Carleton was the Lady Tigers No. 2 finisher at both the SEC Cross Country and NCAA South Central Regional Championships in November. She also will compete for the LSU Track & Field team during the spring season.
Cluskey, a senior tennis player from Dublin, Ireland, earned First-Team All-Louisiana and SEC Honor Roll selections in 2008. He finished ranked No. 14 nationally with doubles partner Michael Venus and split time anchoring the No. 4 and No. 5 singles positions for the Tigers. 13 of his 16 singles victories came in straight sets last season.
A freshman infielder from St. Amant, Delatte has a bright future ahead of him with the Tiger baseball program. He earned a pair of All-State picks in high school and batted .455 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs during his senior campaign.
Dickson, a junior tight end from Ocean Springs, Miss., entered this season as a Preseason Second-Team All-SEC pick by the league coaches and media. He ranks third on the team hauling in 27 receptions for 274 yards and four touchdowns. At No. 11 Florida, he pulled down a career-best six passes for 36 yards and a touchdown.
A freshman from Exetor, Calif., Goates has made an instant impact on the Lady Tigers swimming team. Nine days ago at the Texas A&M Art Adamson Invitational, she recorded the fastest 200-backstroke time in program history with a NCAA ?B’ cut qualifying time of 1 minute, 57.52 seconds.
For putting forth extra effort in the classroom and community in addition to their rigorous academic and competition schedules, these six student-athletes will have their pictures displayed on the wall in the CCACSA.