BATON ROUGE – The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes honored six LSU student-athletes as part of their academic achievements and community service for October.
Each month, five student-athletes are recognized for their academic improvement, dedication and proven ability. In addition, one student-athlete is chosen through LSU’s Student-Athlete Affairs program for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.
October’s student-athletes of the month are Frank Greeff [Swimming & Diving], Mason Katz [Baseball], Sarie Morrison [Gymnastics], Madelene Sagstrom [Women’s Golf] and Alex Gochenour [Track & Field]. Timmy Dasinger [Swimming & Diving] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Student-Athlete Affairs Athlete of the Month.
Greeff is majoring in management, while Katz, Morrison and Sagstrom are sports administration majors. Gochenour is a plant and soil systems major whereas Dasinger is majoring in kinesiology.
Dasinger, a junior swimmer from Madison, Miss., has greatly contributed to his team in butterfly and freestyle events as well as relay competitions. He earned 2010 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll, and serves as swimming and diving’s representative on LSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He recently volunteered with members of his team and visited Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. His leadership and assistance also played a crucial role in the SEC Together We CAN Food Drive, as he worked several sporting events as well as Fall Fest, an LSU tradition.
A freshman swimmer from South Africa, Greeff holds top times in the 200-meter fly, 200 free and 200 individual medley in his age group in his native country. Before LSU, he was one of the top prep swimmers from South Africa, all while holding leadership positions and earning leadership awards.
Katz, a junior baseball player from Harahan, La., is the projected starting right fielder for the upcoming season. He posted a .337 batting average to go along with four home runs and 53 RBIs en route to All-SEC Second-Team accolades last season. Katz also had an impressive during the summer and earned a spot in the Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game that took place in Boston’s Fenway Park last July.
A sophomore gymnast from Dallas, Texas, Morrison is a great talent who competed in the all-around in 11 of LSU’s 12 meets in 2011. Leading her team in numerous events, she earned All-SEC Second Team and All-SEC Freshmen Team honors. Off the mat, Morrison recently joined team members to volunteer at the One Man Can Make a Difference fundraiser, which promotes prostate cancer awareness and research.
Sagstrom, a freshman women’s golfer from Enkoping, Sweden, ranked seventh overall in the Swedish Ladies rankings prior to LSU. With an impressive collegiate golf kickoff, she was selected to participate and represent Sweden in the Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship taking place in November.
A freshman track and field star from Missouri Valley, Iowa, Gochenour will begin her collegiate career with multiple awards already under her belt. In the class of 2011, she was the No.1-rated multi-event recruit in the country. Gochenour also was named 2010 USA Junior Outdoor Champion competing in the heptathlon and 2010 USATF Junior Olympics Silver Medalist in 100-meter hurdles.
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 Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.