Student-Athlete of the Year

North Oaks Sports Medicine is proud to partner with high schools in Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes to honor student-athletes who go above and beyond on and off the field. We offer the Student-Athlete of the Season program to encourage students to excel in athletics and academics.

To qualify, student-athletes must:

  • excel in athletic competition during the past season
  • have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • be active in school/community organizations
  • show respect for coaches, teammates, officials, teachers and other students

Below are all of the 2018–2019 Student-Athletes of the Season. Your help is needed to select the Student-Athletes of the Year! Cast your ballot below.

Tangipahoa Parish

Male Nominees

JOHN ROSS DONNES, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School senior honor student John Ross Donnes maintains a 4.0 GPA. As a runner on the Falcons cross-country team all four years of high school, he has gained a reputation as a top finisher. Some recent achievements include: ninety-seventh of 402 runners at the Brooks Memphis Twilight in Memphis, Tenn.; first of 32 runners at the BSN Sports Invitational in Hammond; second of 47 runners at the Forster Commagere Classic in Bay St. Louis, Miss.; thirty-fourth of 360 runners at the Gulf Coast Stampede in Pensacola, Fla.; twenty-second of 283 runners at the St. Joseph Invitational in Baton Rouge; and second of 202 runners at the MC Watson Ford Invitational in Clinton, MS. “John Ross is one of our senior team captains and shows great respect for his peers, coaches and competitors. He is very well-liked by his teammates and a great mentor for our younger athletes,” notes Falcons Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach Miguel Becerra. “He also is a great asset to our coaching staff. We host many cross country meets on our campus, John Ross can be counted upon to lead the team in helping out at these meets, including set-up and clean-up.” A school ambassador and Light Team member, Donnes also belongs to the National Honor Society and Student Council.

JUSTICE KELLY, HAMMOND HIGH

Hammond High Magnet School sophomore honor student Justice Kelly maintains a 4.0 GPA. As a guard on the Tornadoes’ junior varsity basketball team, Kelly averages 15 points per game. Off the court, Kelly participates in the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy and belongs to Beta Club and Key Club. He also attends church frequently and visits nursing home residents with his church youth group, according to Jimmie Butler, Hammond High Magnet School’s head boys basketball coach.

AUSTIN GRANIER, PONCHATOULA HIGH

Ponchatoula senior Austin Granier graduated with a 3.98 GPA and recently threw a complete game no-hitter for the Green Wave against Chalmette on February 21. As president of Ponchatoula High’s Key Club, Granier actively sought to share his talents and experiences with others in the community. “Austin really tries to be a leader in the community,” says Ponchatoula High School’s Assistant Baseball Coach Brett Vampran. “He serves as a coach in local recreational sports leagues and as an after-school tutor at the public library.”

Female Nominees

MIA KUGLER, PONCHATOULA HIGH SCHOOL

Mia Kugler is a junior honor student with a 3.9 GPA at Ponchatoula High School. She has played volleyball for the Lady Wave for three years. Excelling as an outside hitter and defensive specialist, she earned a spot on the Newman All-Tournament Team. Recent stats include: nine aces, 11 kills and 20 digs versus Salmen High School; 10 kills and 12 digs versus Lakeshore High School; 10 kills and 22 digs versus Hammond High Magnet School; and 11 kills and 20 digs against Northshore High School. “Mia is an exceptional young lady and leader both on and off the court,” affirms Ponchatoula High School Head Volleyball Coach Lauren Long. “Through her words and actions, she encourages her teammates and has helped organize community service activities for our team to benefit breast cancer awareness, multiple sclerosis and Special Olympics Louisiana. She is an asset to our team, school and community.” Kugler is actively involved in the following organizations: Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Key Club; National Honor Society; and Holy Ghost Church Peer Ministry. She is a past member of the CARE Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

IALIYAH PRESTON, INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Ialiyah Preston is a junior honor student with a 3.9 GPA at Independence High School. She has played basketball for the Lady Tigers for three years. Preston has netted 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 15 steals and 4 blocks this season as a guard. “Ialiyah exemplifies strong leadership and character,” affirms Independence High School head girls basketball coach Tara Cardaronella. “She works hard at everything she does.”

CHLOE STOKES, JEWEL SUMNER HIGH SCHOOL

Chloe Stokes is graduating as an honor student with a 4.0 GPA at Jewel Sumner High School in Kentwood. She has played softball with the Cowgirls throughout her high school career, ending this season with a .393 batting average and throwing 82 strikeouts as pitcher. According to Cowgirls Head Softball Coach Joanie Booty, Stokes is always prepared to take a “captain’s role” as an example to others of sportsmanship and scholarship on and off the field. In addition to softball, Stokes also is involved in Students Helping Students, the Beta Club and the Spanish Club.

Livingston Parish

Male Nominees

WAYLON MABRY, SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

Waylon Mabry excelled as a cornerback and outside linebacker for the Springfield High School football team. This past season he had 40 tackles, five pass breakups, two sacs, and three tackles for a loss. Waylon also excelled off the football field as a member of the Beta Club, STEM Club, and the Spanish Club where he served as vice president. He also had the honor of attending American legion’s Louisiana Boys State leadership program at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. While balancing a busy schedule of athletics and academic clubs, Waylon put in hard work with his school work earning a GPA of 4.3.

BRYCE JOHNSON, SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

Bryce Johnson played forward for the Springfield High School basketball team. He averaged 19.3 points per game, 11.6 rebounds per game, and 1.9 blocks per game. Bryce held the integrity of the game very high. “He always leads by example,” notes Head Coach John Sii, “he is always doing the right thing and encouraging others to do the same.”

BROCK BANKSTON, ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL

“He is the first guy on the field and the last to leave every day,” states Head Baseball Coach Gabriel Woods about third baseman Brock Bankston. “He excels in the classroom and pushes his teammates to do well also,” which is evident by his 4.0 GPA. Brock finished the season with a 300 batting average. This past season he was first team all-district and all-parish.

Female Nominees

MEGHAN LANDRY, ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL

Albany High School cheerleader Meghan Landry devoted much of her time and energy to the sport as she held the position of Senior Leader. Her extreme passion for cheerleading led to her stellar attendance of never missing a game and her desire to mentor the younger members to reach their best potential. “Meghan is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone that may need it,” states Head Coach Ashley Whiddon. “She always puts her teammates and classmates first and she approaches every situation with a positive attitude.” Her hard work and dedication carried over to her academic life with a GPA of 3.7, a member of the Beta Club and AP, president of FCA, and honor student. Landry also participated in Southeastern Louisiana University’s Dual Enrollment Program to simultaneously earn high school and college credit.

CAMRYN WOODS, ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL

Camryn Woods is a senior honor student at Albany High School with a 4.0 GPA. As a guard for the Lady Hornets in her fourth year of play, she is averaging 18.6 points, 3.1 steals and 6.8 rebounds per game. “Camryn leads by her own example as a great student in the classroom and hard worker on the court,” Albany High School head girls basketball coach Stacy Darouse shares. Woods also belongs to the Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

HALEIGH POURCIAU, WALKER HIGH SCHOOL

Sophomore Haleigh Porciau of Walker High School couples a 4.0 GPA with a 389 batting average and 1.2 ERA on the softball field. “Haleigh is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached,” states Wildcats Softball Coach Hali Fletcher. “She leads by example in the classroom, in the hallways and always on the field. She is a student-athlete that balances both responsibilities proficiently.”

Voting has ended.