BATON ROUGE, La. – The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes honored six 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 is chosen through LSU’s Student-Athlete Affairs program for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.
April’s student-athletes of the month are William Clapp [Football], Baylee Corbello [Softball], Jake Fraley [Baseball], Caleb Lewis [Football] and Hallie Petersohn [Swimming and Diving]. Kelly Esch [Volleyball] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month.
Clapp is a general business major, Corbello and Fraley are sport administration majors, Esch is a sociology major, Lewis is a kinesiology major and Petersohn is an interdisciplinary studies major.
Clapp, a freshman offensive lineman from New Orleans, Louisiana, redshirted the 2014 season, and is currently competing for a starting position on the offensive line. Out of high school, he was a unanimous four-star prospect and was listed as high as the No. 11 offensive guard nationally by 247Sports.
A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, sophomore pitcher Baylee Corbello has started 10 games with 11 appearances this season, posting a 9-0 record thus far with a 1.11 ERA in her 56.2 innings of work, striking out 61 and walking only 19. Corbello was named to the 2014 SEC All-Freshman Team and was a Top 25 Finalist for the 2014 NFCA DI National Freshman of the Year Award for her efforts last season.
Fraley is a sophomore outfielder from Middletown, Delaware. As a freshman, Fraley was named a second-team freshman All-American. This season, he has made appearances in 25 games, starting in 23. He currently has a .316 batting average and had a career-high four-hit game on April 4 at Alabama.
Lewis, a freshman quarterback and early enrollee from Lakeland, Florida, joins the Tigers after being named the Class 2A player of the year in Florida for two consecutive years. The preferred walk-on led Victory Christian to a state title, throwing six touchdowns in the game.
Petersohn, the senior freestyle swimmer from Port Orange, Florida, transferred to LSU her junior season after swimming at Indian River State College where she earned her associate’s degree. At the Houston quad meet in 2014, Petersohn placed third in the 1000 freestyle with at time of 10:16.05 in the finals.
Esch was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month for her dedication to the community, participating in numerous service events throughout her freshman year. During her first season, the outside hitter played in three sets during one match, earning a kill on three attempts while blocking three shots against Central Arkansas in the Florida State tournament.
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.
The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes is a 54,000 square foot facility comprised of an academic affairs, student affairs and an information technology team, serving more than 530 student-athletes. The purpose is to provide an all-inclusive, student-centered support structure for all student-athletes from matriculation, through graduation and life beyond.