North Oaks Sports Medicine Announces Student-Athletes of the 2018 Spring Season

North Oaks Sports Medicine certified athletic trainers have joined North Oaks Physician Group orthopaedic surgeons to select Michael Lee, Leslie Matherne, Madison Knight and Ty Moran as the 2018 “Student-Athletes of the Spring Season” in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes.

Female and male students were chosen from both parishes, representing the months of February-April 2018.

St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School senior Leslie Matherne played first base for the Lady Falcons Softball team and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She signed with Rhodes College softball in Memphis, Tennessee. She is pictured above, second from left, with Falcons Head Softball Coach Jamie Flanagan, North Oaks Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Jeremy Kulbeth and Head Athletic Trainer/Supervisor Matt Rabalais.

Aside from playing first base, Matherne had a batting average of .358, which includes 21 runs, 7 doubles and 1 triple with 19 total RBIs this season. She has been named to the All-District First Team for three years and the Academic All-State Composite Team this year.

Off the softball field, Head Softball Coach Jamie Flanagan noted that Matherne was actively involved with a multitude of organizations, including the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Light Team, ACT 30+ Club and Young Woman Bible Study. Matherne was a school ambassador and volunteered with Cancer Services of Baton Rouge as a camp counselor.

Matherne received the Neighbor’s Way Award, the Tangipahoa Young Woman of Excellence Award and was named a Student of the Year Finalist.

Hammond High Magnet School senior Michael Lee graduated with a 3.45 GPA, where he was the top pitcher for the Tors baseball team and could cover first base too when called upon. He is pictured above, second from left, with North Oaks Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Stephanie Culbertson, Head Baseball Coach Stephen Ceravolo and North Oaks Sports Medicine Head Athletic Trainer/Supervisor Matt Rabalais.

In addition to being the top pitcher for the Tors, Lee earned a batting average of .420, including nine doubles, two home runs and 20 RBIs this season.

Off the field, Lee earned honor roll placement all four years and belonged to the school’s leadership team.

Head Baseball Coach Stephen Ceravolo affirmed, “Michael continuously demonstrated selflessness through his actions. He truly felt it was his duty to encourage his teammates and help them grow.”

Madison Knight completed her sophomore year at Albany High School with a 3.9 GPA. She played second base for the Albany High Lady Hornets Softball team. She is pictured above, at center, with Springfield High School Lady Bulldogs Head Baseball Coach David Knight and North Oaks Sports Medicine Head Athletic Trainer/Supervisor Matt Rabalais.

Not only does Knight have a batting average of .409 with a 480 on-base percentage, but she also had 92 attempts in the field with 92 put outs this season. She was named to All-District First Team for 2016 and 2017 in addition to being named to All-Parish and All-State First Team in 2017.

Knight excels at other sports too; she was a cheerleader for the 2016-17 year. She also won the mile in Track and Field for District 7B for both Parish and District in 2017, qualifying her to compete in state finals that same year.

“This outstanding student-athlete has gone above and beyond the call of duty,” shared Head Softball Coach David Knight. “She spearheaded a group Bible Study for the team, and led our team in prayer before and after every single game.”

Off the field, Knight belonged to the National Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as Livingston Parish Gifted and Talented Theater and Music.

Springfield High School senior Ty Moran excelled as catcher for the Bulldogs baseball team, played football and graduated with a 3.4 GPA. He is pictured above, second from left, with Springfield High School Head Baseball Coach Michael Rutland, North Oaks Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Mandy Serpas and Head Athletic Trainer/Supervisor Matt Rabalais.

Moran’s earned a .360 batting average, a .533 on-base percentage and 14 RBIs this season.

“Ty leads by example every day with a positive attitude,” Head Baseball Coach Michael Rutland explained. “He’s a respectful young man with a great personality.”

Principals, coaches and athletic directors from high schools in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes nominate student-athletes. Candidates must: have a 3.0 GPA or higher, excel in athletic competition, participate in school and community organizations and have earned the respect of coaches, teammates, officials, teachers and their peers. In June, the North Oaks Sports Medicine team will choose a “Student-Athlete of the Year” from all season honorees.

Nomination forms are available here or can be requested by calling North Oaks Sports Medicine at (985) 230-5248.