SACE June Champions of the Month
6/23/2023 12:00:00 PM | Champions of the Month
Student-Athletes from Football, Track & Field, Equestrian and Soccer selected as June Champions of the Month
WACO, Texas – Jerrell Boykins (football), Demar Francis (track & field), Gianna Pozzi (equestrian) and Alyssa Navarrete (soccer) have been selected as the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (SACE) June 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.
Boykins, a midyear transfer from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, "engages in his classes and tutoring sessions in meaningful ways," said Molly Ann Walke, Associate Director of Learning Support. "His passion for the social work field is evident. He asks thoughtful questions and digs deeper into the content, offering insightful opinions and asking others for their perspective. He does a great job at building connections."
The Gonzales, La., native figures to be a key contributor on a revamped defense as a redshirt sophomore defensive lineman. "My journey with academics has been a very positive and productive one," he said. "Everyone has been so helpful in assuring that I am provided with every tool and opportunity to succeed."
While achieving a personal best in the classroom, Francis earned All-America honors with a fifth-place finish in the 4x400 relay at the NCAA Indoor Championships and also qualified individually in the 200 meters for the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships in his first year at Baylor. Academic coach Travon Carter said Francis "excelled in the classroom as well as in his sport. He continues to build on his work each semester."
From St. Thomas, Jamaica, Demar spent his first two years at the University of South Dakota, winning a combined seven conference titles in the 200, 400 and 4x100 relay. "This opportunity has truly been a blessing both academically and athletically," said Francis, majoring in health, kinesiology & leisure studies. "Baylor redefined what being a part of a family is. Because I am an international student, it's like my second home."
A junior from Spring Valley, Ill., Pozzi was one of just two student-athletes in the entire department who went through both the Leadership Retreat and Leadership Institute this past year. "Her dedication to her leadership development and uplifting her teammates along the way was unmatched," said Krista Smith, Director of Character Formation. "In the midst of being intentional about developing as a leader, she also managed a double major in Risk Management and Insurance and International Business."
Pozzi earned a 3.91 GPA during the spring semester and also was named to the Dean's List. "Being a student-athlete at Baylor University has been such a blessing in my life," she said. "Baylor surrounds me with amazing people while I'm receiving a great education, growing as a person and continuing to compete in the sport I love. I am so thankful."
Originally from Chandler, Ariz., Navarrete played her first four years for Big East power Georgetown before transferring to Baylor and finishing her MBA. "Alyssa is very persistent and works to complete every goal that she sets for herself," said Lindsey Fortner, Associate Director of Character Formation.
Recently, Navarrete represented Baylor Athletics at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis, which "heightened Alyssa's knowledge of careers in sports and enhanced her networking skills," said Malcolm Givens, Character Formation Coordinator.
"My journey with academics has been a dream," Alyssa said. "Not only did I have the opportunity to learn from top industry experts, I also gained real-world experience through live group projects and internships. The supporting staff from both my MBA program and athletics were always there when I needed them. Whenever I had a question, I always knew where to go, and I couldn't have done it without them."
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.
Boykins, a midyear transfer from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, "engages in his classes and tutoring sessions in meaningful ways," said Molly Ann Walke, Associate Director of Learning Support. "His passion for the social work field is evident. He asks thoughtful questions and digs deeper into the content, offering insightful opinions and asking others for their perspective. He does a great job at building connections."
The Gonzales, La., native figures to be a key contributor on a revamped defense as a redshirt sophomore defensive lineman. "My journey with academics has been a very positive and productive one," he said. "Everyone has been so helpful in assuring that I am provided with every tool and opportunity to succeed."
While achieving a personal best in the classroom, Francis earned All-America honors with a fifth-place finish in the 4x400 relay at the NCAA Indoor Championships and also qualified individually in the 200 meters for the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships in his first year at Baylor. Academic coach Travon Carter said Francis "excelled in the classroom as well as in his sport. He continues to build on his work each semester."
From St. Thomas, Jamaica, Demar spent his first two years at the University of South Dakota, winning a combined seven conference titles in the 200, 400 and 4x100 relay. "This opportunity has truly been a blessing both academically and athletically," said Francis, majoring in health, kinesiology & leisure studies. "Baylor redefined what being a part of a family is. Because I am an international student, it's like my second home."
A junior from Spring Valley, Ill., Pozzi was one of just two student-athletes in the entire department who went through both the Leadership Retreat and Leadership Institute this past year. "Her dedication to her leadership development and uplifting her teammates along the way was unmatched," said Krista Smith, Director of Character Formation. "In the midst of being intentional about developing as a leader, she also managed a double major in Risk Management and Insurance and International Business."
Pozzi earned a 3.91 GPA during the spring semester and also was named to the Dean's List. "Being a student-athlete at Baylor University has been such a blessing in my life," she said. "Baylor surrounds me with amazing people while I'm receiving a great education, growing as a person and continuing to compete in the sport I love. I am so thankful."
Originally from Chandler, Ariz., Navarrete played her first four years for Big East power Georgetown before transferring to Baylor and finishing her MBA. "Alyssa is very persistent and works to complete every goal that she sets for herself," said Lindsey Fortner, Associate Director of Character Formation.
Recently, Navarrete represented Baylor Athletics at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis, which "heightened Alyssa's knowledge of careers in sports and enhanced her networking skills," said Malcolm Givens, Character Formation Coordinator.
"My journey with academics has been a dream," Alyssa said. "Not only did I have the opportunity to learn from top industry experts, I also gained real-world experience through live group projects and internships. The supporting staff from both my MBA program and athletics were always there when I needed them. Whenever I had a question, I always knew where to go, and I couldn't have done it without them."
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