SACE December Champions of the Month
12/13/2024 12:33:00 PM | Student-Athlete Center for Excellence, Champions of the Month
Student-Athletes from Soccer, Equestrian, Men’s Golf and Baseball selected as December Champions of the Month
WACO, Texas – Hallie Augustyn (soccer), Avery Mortman (equestrian), Zach Heffernan (men's golf) and Enzo Apodaca (baseball) have been selected as the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (SACE) December 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.
Augustyn, a junior from Flower Mound, Texas, is "an excellent performer in the classroom and has started off this semester very well," said assistant academic coach Lotta Tiittanen. "She is trending towards a personal-best performance academically."
Starting each of the soccer team's 40 games over the past two seasons, Hallie finished fourth on the team this year with four goals while playing alongside her twin sister, Hannah. "Being part of a program that focuses on developing 'Champions for Life' helps me grow as an athlete and as a person who values service to others," she said. "Balancing athletics and academics has helped me grow as a person."
A sophomore journalism major from Magnolia, Texas, and Legacy Christian Academy, Mortman has had "exceptional engagement in the Character Formation space," and particularly with the sports ministry program.
Avery, who had multiple top-10 finishes at the 2022 All-American Quarter Horse Congress, said that "being a student-athlete at Baylor has been the biggest blessing. I feel so honored to get to be surrounded by and learn from the best."
Winning three of his first four head-to-head matchups, Heffernan helped the golf team reach the Big 12 Match Play championship this fall for the fourth time, losing to BYU, 4-1, in the final. A senior communication major from Boerne, Texas, Zach is a combined 8-2 in his last two trips to the Big 12 Match Play tournament.
Dr. Samantha Williams, assistant director of academic services, said he has "excelled academically this fall, staying on track to maintain or surpass his 3.26 GPA as he approaches his final semester at Baylor. Balancing his studies with the demands of being a student-athlete, Zach's commitment to both academics and athletics is a testament to his strong work ethic."
Apodaca, a second-year transfer from Gonzaga who hit .333 last season with six home runs and 42 RBIs, "has been a leader on and off the field," said Ryan Amodei, associate director of academic services. "Enzo sets a great example academically for his peers, as he is dependable and consistent in his efforts."
A senior from Scottsdale, Ariz., who is majoring in corporate communications, Enzo said "it is a huge privilege to be able to get a great education and represent Baylor University. . . . There are many resources and people willing to help you with whatever you may need in the classroom and support you along the way. Most importantly, they care about who you are as a person as well."
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.
Augustyn, a junior from Flower Mound, Texas, is "an excellent performer in the classroom and has started off this semester very well," said assistant academic coach Lotta Tiittanen. "She is trending towards a personal-best performance academically."
Starting each of the soccer team's 40 games over the past two seasons, Hallie finished fourth on the team this year with four goals while playing alongside her twin sister, Hannah. "Being part of a program that focuses on developing 'Champions for Life' helps me grow as an athlete and as a person who values service to others," she said. "Balancing athletics and academics has helped me grow as a person."
A sophomore journalism major from Magnolia, Texas, and Legacy Christian Academy, Mortman has had "exceptional engagement in the Character Formation space," and particularly with the sports ministry program.
Avery, who had multiple top-10 finishes at the 2022 All-American Quarter Horse Congress, said that "being a student-athlete at Baylor has been the biggest blessing. I feel so honored to get to be surrounded by and learn from the best."
Winning three of his first four head-to-head matchups, Heffernan helped the golf team reach the Big 12 Match Play championship this fall for the fourth time, losing to BYU, 4-1, in the final. A senior communication major from Boerne, Texas, Zach is a combined 8-2 in his last two trips to the Big 12 Match Play tournament.
Dr. Samantha Williams, assistant director of academic services, said he has "excelled academically this fall, staying on track to maintain or surpass his 3.26 GPA as he approaches his final semester at Baylor. Balancing his studies with the demands of being a student-athlete, Zach's commitment to both academics and athletics is a testament to his strong work ethic."
Apodaca, a second-year transfer from Gonzaga who hit .333 last season with six home runs and 42 RBIs, "has been a leader on and off the field," said Ryan Amodei, associate director of academic services. "Enzo sets a great example academically for his peers, as he is dependable and consistent in his efforts."
A senior from Scottsdale, Ariz., who is majoring in corporate communications, Enzo said "it is a huge privilege to be able to get a great education and represent Baylor University. . . . There are many resources and people willing to help you with whatever you may need in the classroom and support you along the way. Most importantly, they care about who you are as a person as well."
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