You can scroll to a specific school or click below: Jackson State Community College Lane College Union University
Jackson State Community College’s male athlete of the year, Jacob Bryant, plays baseball for the school and has a 4.0 grade point average. Last season the 6-foot, 190-pound second baseman led the Green Jays in doubles (9), batted .250 and played in 38 of 43 games. He was on the TCCAA All-Academic Team and received the NJCAA Pinnacle Award. The right-handed sophomore had a .432 batting average this season at press time. He is a product of South Gibson High School where he was first team All-West Tennessee, all-district and all-region.
Jackson State Community College’s female athlete of the year, Talyia Cawthon, plays basketball. A 5-foot-7 sophomore guard, she was leading the NJCAA and TJCAA in steals (114) and steals per game at press time. She averages 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 71 percent at the free-throw line and 31 percent from three-point range. She was second team all-conference last season. Academically, she is on the honors list. A South Side High graduate, she has not decided where she will continue her education.
Lane College’s male athlete of the year, Asmar Hasan, plays football for the Dragons. Last season he was a first-team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pick after finishing as the top defender in the league. The 5-foot-10 linebacker, nicknamed Nightmare, had 118 tackles, averaging 11.8 per game. The junior totaled 67 solo tackles and had 14 tackles for loss. He is from Atlanta and is also a member of Lane’s track and field team. He is majoring in physical education with a minor in biology.
Lane College’s female athlete of the year, Jersey Cabana, plays softball for the school. Last season as a freshman Cabana was named conference pitcher of the year and made first-team All-SIAC at both starting pitcher and relief pitcher. The San Dimas, Calif. native set school records in wins (18), saves (6), ERA (2.08), strikeouts (195), and innings pitched (168.1). She threw a perfect game in her collegiate debut and registered six shutouts, two no-hitters, and four complete-game one-hitters. She is a Power of Potential presidential scholar and an SIAC All-Academic selection. The sophomore is majoring in criminal justice with a minor in sociology.
Union University’s male athlete of the year, JJ Zimmer, is playing his third season for the Union golf team. At press time he had earned 13 top-10 finishes and 12 all-tournament honors. He was named Freshman of the Year in the Gulf South Conference. He was also named to the GCAA Ping South All-Region team twice and received a GCAA Ping All-American honorable mention. JJ has had six rounds in the 60s and was named GSC Golfer of the Week twice. He is also a two-time NCAA D2 South Region Individual Qualifier, the first for Union since rejoining NCAA Division II in 2012. He played for Crockett County High School.
Union University’s female athlete of the year, Shanique Lucas, plays basketball for the Lady Bulldogs. A five-year starter at guard, she had 1,885 career points at press time, averaging 12.9 a game. She also had 629 rebounds, 304 steals and 370 assists. Since she joined the team, Union had a 126-20 record at press time and was seeking its fifth Gulf South Conference championship with Lucas at guard. She is a three-time GSC all-tournament selection, a two-time GSC tournament Most Outstanding Player, and a three-time GSC all-academic.