SACE October Champions of the Month
11/6/2023 3:25:00 PM | Student-Athlete Center for Excellence, Champions of the Month
Student-Athletes from Women’s Basketball, Soccer and Football selected as October Champions of the Month
WACO, Texas – Yaya Felder (women's basketball), Ava Colberg (soccer), Jackie Marshall (football) and Michael Allen (football) have been selected as the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (SACE) October Champions of the Month.
This award recognizes student-athletes who achieve their personal bests in the areas of academic achievement, athletic success, character formation and spiritual growth.
Each of these student-athletes was nominated by a SACE team member based upon their embodiment of each of the four pillars.
A junior from Hartford, Conn., Felder is a transfer from Ohio University who earned All-MAC second-team honors last season, averaging 22.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. "Yaya has made a seamless transition to Baylor by showing up every day with a great attitude and giving her best effort," said Molly Ann Walke, associate director of learning support. "I'm excited to see her continued success in the classroom, on the court and beyond."
Majoring in health, kinesiology and leisure studies, Felder said she has "improved so much in my academics since I got here. I want to thank Molly Ann for being there and helping me this semester. She's played a big role in my success by making sure I'm on top of everything and doing what I have to do."
Colberg, a junior from Frisco, Texas, majoring in business finance, "is a great example of consistency," said Brianne Beard, assistant director of academic services. "As a junior, you are hitting some of your hardest classes. While also balancing soccer and traveling on a regular basis, she has kept all of her priorities straight, while still being a light to the team on and off the field."
Starting 55 games in her three-year career, the junior defender had her first-career assist in a 7-0 win over ACU this season. "I have the utmost gratitude for Baylor soccer and all the ways that it has enriched my life," she said. "My academic experience at Baylor has truly helped me to become both a better student and individual. My professors have always been accommodating and assisted me in succeeding in the classroom as I pursue my goals on the field."
Although he had to miss this season with a knee injury, Marshall "shows up each day with a positive attitude and willingness to give his best effort," Walke said. "He has maintained above a 3.0 GPA throughout his entire career at Baylor and pushes himself for better results each year. He has also emerged as a mentor to his injured teammates since he can empathize with what they're going through. I'm proud of Jackie for his perseverance."
A junior from LaPlace, La., Jackie played in 12 games with one start at JACK linebacker last year, earning second-team Academic All-Big 12 honors. "First and foremost, I would like to thank God for blessing me and putting me in this position," he said. "Secondly, I'd like to thank everyone at SACE for pushing me and believing in me. Lastly, I'd like to thank Molly Ann for working with me day-in and day-out."
Allen, a junior finance major from Stillwell, Kan., played in last year's season opener versus Albany and saw game action on special teams versus Texas Tech and Iowa State this year. As a senior at Blue Valley High School, he tallied 105 tackles with three interceptions in helping the Tigers to an 8-2 record.
Josh Ehambe, director of mission impact and enrichment, said Michael "leads a small group at our athletes' chapel and is always speaking biblical truth to his classmates. He also goes to Vertical on campus."
This award recognizes student-athletes who achieve their personal bests in the areas of academic achievement, athletic success, character formation and spiritual growth.
Each of these student-athletes was nominated by a SACE team member based upon their embodiment of each of the four pillars.
A junior from Hartford, Conn., Felder is a transfer from Ohio University who earned All-MAC second-team honors last season, averaging 22.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. "Yaya has made a seamless transition to Baylor by showing up every day with a great attitude and giving her best effort," said Molly Ann Walke, associate director of learning support. "I'm excited to see her continued success in the classroom, on the court and beyond."
Majoring in health, kinesiology and leisure studies, Felder said she has "improved so much in my academics since I got here. I want to thank Molly Ann for being there and helping me this semester. She's played a big role in my success by making sure I'm on top of everything and doing what I have to do."
Colberg, a junior from Frisco, Texas, majoring in business finance, "is a great example of consistency," said Brianne Beard, assistant director of academic services. "As a junior, you are hitting some of your hardest classes. While also balancing soccer and traveling on a regular basis, she has kept all of her priorities straight, while still being a light to the team on and off the field."
Starting 55 games in her three-year career, the junior defender had her first-career assist in a 7-0 win over ACU this season. "I have the utmost gratitude for Baylor soccer and all the ways that it has enriched my life," she said. "My academic experience at Baylor has truly helped me to become both a better student and individual. My professors have always been accommodating and assisted me in succeeding in the classroom as I pursue my goals on the field."
Although he had to miss this season with a knee injury, Marshall "shows up each day with a positive attitude and willingness to give his best effort," Walke said. "He has maintained above a 3.0 GPA throughout his entire career at Baylor and pushes himself for better results each year. He has also emerged as a mentor to his injured teammates since he can empathize with what they're going through. I'm proud of Jackie for his perseverance."
A junior from LaPlace, La., Jackie played in 12 games with one start at JACK linebacker last year, earning second-team Academic All-Big 12 honors. "First and foremost, I would like to thank God for blessing me and putting me in this position," he said. "Secondly, I'd like to thank everyone at SACE for pushing me and believing in me. Lastly, I'd like to thank Molly Ann for working with me day-in and day-out."
Allen, a junior finance major from Stillwell, Kan., played in last year's season opener versus Albany and saw game action on special teams versus Texas Tech and Iowa State this year. As a senior at Blue Valley High School, he tallied 105 tackles with three interceptions in helping the Tigers to an 8-2 record.
Josh Ehambe, director of mission impact and enrichment, said Michael "leads a small group at our athletes' chapel and is always speaking biblical truth to his classmates. He also goes to Vertical on campus."
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