SACE March Champions of the Month
3/27/2024 2:33:00 PM | Student-Athlete Center for Excellence, Champions of the Month
Student-Athletes from Baseball, Football, Track & Field and Soccer selected as March Champions of the Month
WACO, Texas – Jackson Wilkerson (baseball), Ketron Jackson Jr. (football), Alencia Lentz (women's track & field) and Ashlee Zirkel (soccer) have been selected as the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (SACE) March 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.
Wilkerson, a freshman from Montgomery, Texas, said Baylor "has provided me a wonderful opportunity to play the sport I love while also receiving a stellar education with a Christian foundation. With the support of the Baylor staff, which is more like family, I have been able to succeed and hopefully only get better moving forward."
Majoring in health, kinesiology and leisure studies, Wilkerson "eagerly seeks guidance from others, showcasing humility and a genuine desire to learn," said Sean Escarciga, assistant learning specialist. "Jackson's relentless efforts to excel academically are nothing short of a reflection of his passion to be his best self and strong representative of Baylor Athletics."
A four-star receiver out of Royse City (Texas) High School, Jackson Jr. played his first two seasons at Arkansas before starting 10 games last season at Baylor and finishing as the team's third-leading receiver with 28 catches for 489 yards and one touchdown. "My journey with academics has been challenging, to say the last," Ketron said, "but the challenges have caused me to grow significantly."
As a communication major, Jackson "consistently demonstrates exceptional time management skills, seamlessly juggling the demands of both sports and academics," said Brianne Beard, assistant director of academic services. "Ketron has an unwavering work ethic and is a true asset to our athletic program."
Baylor's lone Big 12 champion at the indoor meet, Lentz won the pole vault with a meet-record and program record-tying mark of 14 feet, 9 inches and went on to finish 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston. Lentz and fellow freshman Molly Haywood have re-established Baylor as one of the best pole-vaulting crews in the country.
Excelling academically as well, Alencia had a 4.0 GPA in the fall semester as a pre-business major. "I am just so blessed to be at this school," said Lentz, a freshman from Spring Branch, Texas. "I could not have asked for a better community to be surrounded by and coaches that support and encourage me in the highs and lows."
A sophomore from Kerrville, Texas, majoring in aviation sciences, Zirkel has been able to balance the demands of the soccer pitch with a challenging aviation program at Baylor. "Despite the demanding schedule of athletics and academics, she consistently displays a remarkable commitment to excellence, balancing rigorous coursework with a disciplined training regimen," Beard said.
Splitting time with Oklahoma transfer Makinzie Short in goal, Ashlee started 12 of the team's 19 games and totaled 49 saves, picking up six wins and two shutouts while facing 178 shots. "Being able to attend Baylor is such a blessing," she said. "God has guided me so well and made me feel so welcome here. I'm very thankful for the friends I have made, but also for the future God has in store for me."
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.
Wilkerson, a freshman from Montgomery, Texas, said Baylor "has provided me a wonderful opportunity to play the sport I love while also receiving a stellar education with a Christian foundation. With the support of the Baylor staff, which is more like family, I have been able to succeed and hopefully only get better moving forward."
Majoring in health, kinesiology and leisure studies, Wilkerson "eagerly seeks guidance from others, showcasing humility and a genuine desire to learn," said Sean Escarciga, assistant learning specialist. "Jackson's relentless efforts to excel academically are nothing short of a reflection of his passion to be his best self and strong representative of Baylor Athletics."
A four-star receiver out of Royse City (Texas) High School, Jackson Jr. played his first two seasons at Arkansas before starting 10 games last season at Baylor and finishing as the team's third-leading receiver with 28 catches for 489 yards and one touchdown. "My journey with academics has been challenging, to say the last," Ketron said, "but the challenges have caused me to grow significantly."
As a communication major, Jackson "consistently demonstrates exceptional time management skills, seamlessly juggling the demands of both sports and academics," said Brianne Beard, assistant director of academic services. "Ketron has an unwavering work ethic and is a true asset to our athletic program."
Baylor's lone Big 12 champion at the indoor meet, Lentz won the pole vault with a meet-record and program record-tying mark of 14 feet, 9 inches and went on to finish 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston. Lentz and fellow freshman Molly Haywood have re-established Baylor as one of the best pole-vaulting crews in the country.
Excelling academically as well, Alencia had a 4.0 GPA in the fall semester as a pre-business major. "I am just so blessed to be at this school," said Lentz, a freshman from Spring Branch, Texas. "I could not have asked for a better community to be surrounded by and coaches that support and encourage me in the highs and lows."
A sophomore from Kerrville, Texas, majoring in aviation sciences, Zirkel has been able to balance the demands of the soccer pitch with a challenging aviation program at Baylor. "Despite the demanding schedule of athletics and academics, she consistently displays a remarkable commitment to excellence, balancing rigorous coursework with a disciplined training regimen," Beard said.
Splitting time with Oklahoma transfer Makinzie Short in goal, Ashlee started 12 of the team's 19 games and totaled 49 saves, picking up six wins and two shutouts while facing 178 shots. "Being able to attend Baylor is such a blessing," she said. "God has guided me so well and made me feel so welcome here. I'm very thankful for the friends I have made, but also for the future God has in store for me."
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