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 April.
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.
April’s Student-Athletes of the Month are Chancey Aghayere (Football), Brittani Carter (Women’s Track and Field), Cordian Hagans (Football), Tyler Hanover (Baseball) and Ashley Langoni (Softball). Neal Skupski (Men’s Tennis) was chosen as the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills Student-Athlete of the Month.
Aghayeri, Carter, Hagans and Langoni are majoring in sports administration, while Skupski is a general studies major. Hanover is a member 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 redshirt freshman defensive end from Garland, Texas; Aghayere was recruited as one of the top defensive linemen in the nation after being rated the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 3 defensive end by ESPN.com. He racked up 78 tackles and 12 sacks during his senior season at Garland High School.
Carter, a sophomore from Missouri City, Texas became the first Lady Tiger in 22 years to receive All-America honors with personal-best clearance of 6-0 and a third-place finish in the high jump a couple of weeks ago at the NCAA Indoors. She now ranks in sole possession of fourth place on LSU’s all-time indoor performance list.
Hagans, a redshirt freshman defensive linemen from Snellville, Ga.; was considered one of the top defensive line prospects in Georgia. He tallied 58 tackles and six sacks as a senior at Northview High School.
A freshman from Kernersville, N.C.; Hanover is putting together a stellar rookie campaign with a .325 batting average to go along with two home runs and 23 RBIs. He is coming off a 2-for-3 performance with a trio of RBIs at Tulane.
Langoni, a freshman second baseman from Pueblo, Colo.; has made an instant impact on the Tiger softball program leading the team with five home runs. She is second on the squad with 17 RBIs and 10 of her last 14 hits have produced runs.
A freshman tennis player from Liverpool, England; Skupski and his teammates visited kindergarten class at Lanier Elementary on Monday to read and interact with the children. On the court, Skupski teams with Michael Venus as the nation’s No. 8 doubles pair and has won his last three singles decisions against opponents from No. 15 Texas A&M, No. 3 Georgia and No. 5 Tennessee.
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.