North Oaks Sports Medicine Announces Student-Athletes of the Fall Season

North Oaks Sports Medicine certified athletic trainers have joined North Oaks Physician Group orthopedic surgeons to select John Ross Donnes, Mia Kugler, Meghan Landry and Waylon Mabry as the 2018 “Student-Athletes of the Fall Season” in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes.

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

Mia Kugler is a junior honor student with a 3.9 GPA at Ponchatoula High School.

Kugler 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 and earned Second Team All-District honors this season.

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.

St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School senior honor student John Ross Donnes maintains a 4.0 GPA.

As an Academic All-State 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: 97^th of 402 runners at the Brooks Memphis Twilight in Memphis, Tennessee; first of 32 runners at the BSN Sports Invitational in Hammond; second of 47 runners at the Forster Commagere Classic in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; 34^th of 360 runners at the Gulf Coast Stampede in Pensacola, Florida; 22^nd of 283 runners at the St. Joseph Invitational in Baton Rouge; and second of 202 runners at the MC Watson Ford Invitational in Clinton, Mississippi.

“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.

Meghan Landry is a senior honor student at Albany High School.

As a senior leader on the Hornets cheerleading squad, she devotes many hours to cheer with stellar attendance and is always willing to mentor younger cheerleaders, according to Albany High School Head Cheerleading Coach Ashley Whiddon.

Landry currently has a 3.7 GPA and belongs to the Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes for which she is president.

“Meghan is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who may need it,” Whiddon shares. “She puts her teammates and classmates first and approaches every situation with a positive attitude.”

Landry is participating in Southeastern Louisiana University’s Dual Enrollment Program to earn high school and college credit simultaneously.

Waylon Mabry is a senior honor student with a 4.3 GPA at Springfield High School, who belongs to the Beta Club, STEM Club and Spanish Club, for which he serves as vice president.

As a cornerback and outside linebacker for Springfield High School’s Bulldogs football team, Head Football Coach Ryan Serpas shares that Mabry racked up 40 tackles, five pass breakups, two sacks and three tackles for a loss this season.

This past summer, Mabry attended the American Legion’s Louisiana Boys State leadership program at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

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 May, 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.