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 August.
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.
August’s student-athletes of the month are Jordane Carvery [Soccer], Keterra Harris [Track & Field], Kortnei Johnson [Track & Field], DeSean Smith [Football] and Isaiah Washington [Football]. Ashlyn Kirby [Gymnsatics] was selected as the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Student-Athlete of the Month.
Carvery is an elementary education major; Harris, Smith and Washington are sport administration majors; Johnson is a kinesiology major and Kirby is a general business major.
A native of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, Carvery was one of four Tigers to start in each of their 23 matches during the 2015 season. The junior defender was a key figure in LSU’s return to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament.
Harris is a sophomore who competes middle distance for the Tigers. The Marrero, Louisiana, native ran a lifetime personal best of 55.71 seconds in a fifth-place finish in the 400-meter dash at the Iowa State Classic during the indoor season and also lined up in the qualifying round at the SEC Indoor Championships.
Sophomore sprinter Johnson competes in the 60M, 100M and 200M for the Tigers. She hails from Italy, Texas, where she was one of the most decorated sprinters in the state. Johnson was a three-time Texas Class 2A State Champion and a four-time Texas Class 1A-Division I State Champion.
Smith is a senior tight end from Lake Charles, Louisiana, who has an opportunity to play a key role in the passing game for LSU in 2016. During his junior campaign he caught four passes for 82 yards, hauled in a career-long 26-yard reception at Alabama and tipped a pass that landed right in Travin Dural’s hands for a 62-yard TD versus South Carolina.
Sophomore defensive end and New Orleans, Louisiana, native Washington played in six games for the Tigers during the 2015 season. He made three tackles on the season and forced a fumble. Washington possess the size and quickness to line up along the defensive line or at linebacker who is set to compete for a starting spot in 2016.
Kirby 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 first summer on campus. The incoming freshman all-arounder from Claremont, North Carolina, was a member of Shooting Stars Gymnastics. The level 10 gymnast is a two-time qualifier for the J.O. National Championships. She also placed 10th in the all-around at the 2015 championships and earned a top-five finish on vault, beam, floor and the all-around at the 2015 Level 10 Regional Championships.
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.