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 January.
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.
January’s Student-Athletes of the Month are Armanti Hayes (Men’s Track and Field), Andrea Kelly (Women’s Basketball), Bo Spencer (Men’s Basketball), Chris Tolliver (Football) and Lauren Waclawczyk (Volleyball). Micah Gibbs (Baseball) was chosen as the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills Student-Athlete of the Month.
A junior sprinter from Moultrie, Ga., Hayes continued his development last season as one of the top quartermilers in the SEC. He set personal bests in the 400 meters during the indoor and outdoor season in addition to earning All-American honors as LSU finished sixth in the distance medley relay at the NCAA Championships.
Gibbs, a sophomore catcher from Pflugerville, Texas, picked up Baseball America and Rivals.com First-Team Freshman All-American accolades as the Tigers returned to the College World Series last season. He batted .322 with two home runs and 35 RBIs and was a member of the USA Baseball National Team that won a Gold Medal at the 2008 World Championships. Gibbs was active in the community joining pole vaulter Lauren Saucier to speak to about 150 kids at the O’Brien House I’m a Good Kid Too! Youth Festival last month.
A junior guard from Shalimar, Fla., Kelly has appeared in all 11 games off the bench averaging 5.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game for the Lady Tigers this season. She has reached double figures twice, including a 15-point performance at Centenary.
Spencer, a sophomore guard from Baton Rouge, has started all 14 games as LSU has jumped out to a 12-2 start. He headlines the squad shooting 44.1 percent from three-point range and poured in double figures nine times, including four of his last five games. Spencer and the rest of the men’s basketball team sang Christmas carols to patients in the children’s hospital last month leading up to the Washington State game.
A freshman wide receiver from Rayville, Tolliver has a bright future ahead of him on the football team after being considered the top Louisiana prospect at his position in 2007. He tallied honors from both ESPN.com and Rivals.com during his high school career.
Waclawczyk, a freshman outside hitter from San Antonio Texas, saw action in 27 matches on the back row for the Tigers last season. She was one of five players to register over 100 digs, including a career-best 11 digs against Alabama.
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.