SACE April Champions of the Month
4/16/2024 6:12:00 PM | Student-Athlete Center for Excellence, Champions of the Month
Student-Athletes from Equestrian, Track & Field, Men’s Golf and Men’s Tennis selected as April Champions of the Month
WACO, Texas – Molly Roberts (equestrian), Alexis Brown (women's track & field), Davis Ovard (men's golf) and Louis Bowden (men's tennis) have been selected as the Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (SACE) April 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 Raleigh, N.C., who is majoring in apparel design and product development, Roberts had the opportunity to represent Baylor at New York Fashion Week.
"My journey with academics at Baylor has been transformative," said Roberts, who placed sixth at the 2020 Southeast Maclay Regionals. "It has challenged me to grow intellectually and provided me with the skills and knowledge to succeed beyond the classroom."
Brown, a senior from Kennedale, Texas, transferred to Baylor a year ago after spending her first three years at Florida. "Alexis has been having a fantastic year on the track and in her classes," academic coach Travon Carter said of Brown, who is majoring in health, kinesiology and leisure studies.
Already an indoor All-American in the long jump, Brown now holds the school indoor and outdoor records, going 21-11 in winning gold at last month's Clyde Hart Classic. "Being a student-athlete at Baylor means everything to me," she said. "I'm forever grateful I get the opportunity to represent such a prestigious university."
Part of the golf team lineup all spring, Ovard has a 72.30-stroke average for the season with a team-best four top-10 finishes, including a tie for eighth at last month's All-American Intercollegiate in Houston. Lauren Kirby, Assistant AD for Learning Support, said "it has been fun to see him excel in the athletic and academic space this spring."
A freshman from Frisco, Texas, Davis is a pre-business major. "I always dreamed of playing golf at a great school, and I feel like this is the perfect place," he said. "My journey with academics has been great so far. Professors are super-helpful, and Baylor provides all the resources we need to do well in the classroom."
Transitioning from Portsmouth, England, to Waco, Texas, presented Bowden "with numerous challenges," said assistant learning specialist Sean Escarciga, "but he faced them head-on. He didn't just adapt to his new environment, he has thrived. Louis exemplifies integrity and motivation, not only in his sport but also in his approach to his coursework."
A freshman majoring in corporate communications, Bowden has been a mainstay in the singles lineup this spring, playing predominantly at the Nos. 4 and 5 spots. "I have come a long way since my first semester," Louis said, "because I was struggling with classes at first. But I stuck with it, and now I feel like I'm doing great."
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 Raleigh, N.C., who is majoring in apparel design and product development, Roberts had the opportunity to represent Baylor at New York Fashion Week.
"My journey with academics at Baylor has been transformative," said Roberts, who placed sixth at the 2020 Southeast Maclay Regionals. "It has challenged me to grow intellectually and provided me with the skills and knowledge to succeed beyond the classroom."
Brown, a senior from Kennedale, Texas, transferred to Baylor a year ago after spending her first three years at Florida. "Alexis has been having a fantastic year on the track and in her classes," academic coach Travon Carter said of Brown, who is majoring in health, kinesiology and leisure studies.
Already an indoor All-American in the long jump, Brown now holds the school indoor and outdoor records, going 21-11 in winning gold at last month's Clyde Hart Classic. "Being a student-athlete at Baylor means everything to me," she said. "I'm forever grateful I get the opportunity to represent such a prestigious university."
Part of the golf team lineup all spring, Ovard has a 72.30-stroke average for the season with a team-best four top-10 finishes, including a tie for eighth at last month's All-American Intercollegiate in Houston. Lauren Kirby, Assistant AD for Learning Support, said "it has been fun to see him excel in the athletic and academic space this spring."
A freshman from Frisco, Texas, Davis is a pre-business major. "I always dreamed of playing golf at a great school, and I feel like this is the perfect place," he said. "My journey with academics has been great so far. Professors are super-helpful, and Baylor provides all the resources we need to do well in the classroom."
Transitioning from Portsmouth, England, to Waco, Texas, presented Bowden "with numerous challenges," said assistant learning specialist Sean Escarciga, "but he faced them head-on. He didn't just adapt to his new environment, he has thrived. Louis exemplifies integrity and motivation, not only in his sport but also in his approach to his coursework."
A freshman majoring in corporate communications, Bowden has been a mainstay in the singles lineup this spring, playing predominantly at the Nos. 4 and 5 spots. "I have come a long way since my first semester," Louis said, "because I was struggling with classes at first. But I stuck with it, and now I feel like I'm doing great."
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