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 January.
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.
January’s student-athletes of the month are Austin Bain [Baseball], Johnnie Jackson [Track and Field], Lexie Priessman [Gymnastics], Sandra Simmons [Softball] and Randii Wyrick [Gymnastics]. Leonard Fournette [Football] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month.
Bain, Fournette and Wyrick are sport administration majors, Jackson and Priessman are interdisciplinary studies majors and Simmons is a child and family service major.
A native of Geismar, Louisiana, Bain is a sophomore right-handed pitcher who was named a SEC Co-Freshman of the Week during the 2015 season. He appeared in 21 games, making six starts, recording a 2-3 mark with a 3.95 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched.
Jackson is a junior thrower from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The transfer from Coffeyville Community College was the 2014 and 2015 indoor champion in the weight throw, smashing the NJCAA national record in the weight throw. The highly touted recruit was also the 2014 and 2015 outdoor silver medalist in the hammer.
Freshman all-arounder Priessmann hails from Cincinnati, Ohio. She was one of the nation’s top gymnasts and established herself as a premier gymnast early in her career by winning the all-around at the Nastia Liukin Cup in 2010. In 2011 Priessman won vault, bars, floor and the all-around at the Japan Junior International.
Simmons, a senior infielder from Fountain Valley, California, started all 66 games in 2015 at first base for the Tigers. She was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team, the SEC Community Service Team, the NCAA All-Baton Rouge Super Regional Team and was the NCAA Baton Rouge Super Regional MVP during her junior season.
Senior all-arounder Wyrick earned first team All-America honors on bars after scoring a 9.90 at the NCAA Championships Semifinals. The native from Las Vegas, Nevada, was a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American and was also a member of the 2015 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Fournette was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month for his dedication to the community, participating in numerous service events throughout his senior year. The running back from New Orleans, Louisiana, was a consensus First Team All-American. The sophomore Heisman hopeful set LSU’s bowl scoring record with 30 points and was named the Most Valuable Player after gaining 256 all-purpose yards in the Texas Bowl.
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.