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 February.
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.
February’s Student-Athletes of the Month are Jacqueline Hedwall (Women’s Golf), Gloria Johnson (Gymnastics), Gabriel Mvumvure (Track & Field), Jordan Nicholson (Baseball) and Jhyryn Taylor (Football). Lauren Saucier (Track and Field) was chosen as the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills Student-Athlete of the Month.
Mvumvure is majoring in international studies, while Saucier is a kinesiology major. Hedwall, Johnson, Nicholson and Taylor are members of the University College Center for Freshman Year (UCFY). The UCFY is an academic unit to help freshmen define their academic and career goals.
A freshman golfer from Taby, Sweden, Hedwall was second on the team in stroke average at 74.3 per round during the fall season. She earned a pair of Top 20 finishes, including a tie for 14th place in a field of 112 at the Cougar Classic. The No. 13 Tigers begin the spring season in Parrish, Fla. at the Central District Invitational from Feb. 16-17.
Johnson, a freshman all-around performer from Baton Rouge, La., opened the season with four consecutive 9.825 scores which has helped lead LSU to the third-ranked vaulting team in the nation. The No. 11 Tigers face off with No. 8 Florida Friday at 7:00 p.m. inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
A sophomore sprinter from Harare, Zimbabwe, Mvumvure began the 2009 season with a personal best of 6.79 in the 60 meters at the Purple Tiger Classic 11 days ago. He is coming off an All-American season in 2008 after running the third leg on the Tigers 4×100-meter relay team that won the NCAA title at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Nicholson, a sophomore pitcher from Ruston, La., should contribute significant innings to the bullpen this season. He made 12 relief appearances last season and tallied eight strikeouts in addition to limiting opponents to a .265 batting average. The new Alex Box Stadium opens on Feb. 20-22 with a weekend series against Villanova.
A sophomore from Gonzales, La., Saucier had a busy month in the community as the LSU pole vaulters visited the children’s hospital at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. They went room-to-room playing games and handing out LSU temporary tattoos to the children. Saucer competed in eight meets during the 2008 season with her personal indoor best of 11 feet, 9 inches at the LSU Twilight Invitational. She will represent LSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at the SEC meetings later this month.
Taylor, a freshman wide receiver from Franklinton, La., redshirted the 2008 season and has a bright future ahead of him. He was rated in the nation’s Top 50 by Rivals.com and New Orleans Times Picayune Blue-Chip list after hauling in 47 receptions for 827 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior season in high school.
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.