elia Zaeringer has made a name for herself in the conference during her short tenure with the Lady Lions cross country team and earned a Southland Conference Honorable Mention.
The Lion’s Roar / Jay Love
Fall athletes have proved that freshmen are not always the underdog.
An outstanding freshman throughout the fall season was football quarterback Kiley Huddleston. Huddleston gives no excuses when playing football. As a junior in high school, he led Katy High School in Katy, Texas to its seventh state championship even with the handicap of a broken leg. During his senior year, KHS held a record of 15-1. Huddleston is said to have a bright future as he brings a winning pedigree to the Southeastern football roster.
Running back and Boca Raton, Florida native, Eugene Bethea impressed many during his first season as a Lion. In addition to 320 rushing yards, Bethea also rushed two touchdowns. The freshman ran into the end zone for his first career scoring opportunity on Sept. 6 during the victory against Southern Utah. The Lions ended the game 41-14. Bethea second score contributed to the triumphant over Incarnate Word, final score of 63-7, on Sept. 27.
Kacey Freeman and Sarah Friedman were the only two freshmen on the Lion’s volleyball team. Freeman is from Mandeville where she attended Lakeshore High School. As a senior, she was named district and team MVP. Freeman was also named to the Louisiana Volleyball Coaches Association All-State team. She ended her first season as a Lion with a total of 66 spikes and 122 digs. Freeman started four of the 23 matches played this season.
Friedman moved to Hammond from Houston, Texas. The 6-4 middle blocker earned All-State honors during her junior and senior seasons at Emery/Weiner School. Friedman also earned the honor of being named All-District Player of the Year. She continued to strive as she played her first season on the collegiate level earning 60 spikes and 147 kills with a total of attempts at 398.
The Lion’s Cross Country team was made of primarily freshmen; however, the young team impressed many at the 2014 Southland Conference Cross Country Championships on Monday, Nov. 3.
“I think we performed well. We are a young team, and we’re anxious to see the possibilities that are going to come in the next few years,” said head coach Sean Brady.
Ponchatoula native Isaiah Gilbert placed 64th with a time of 27:04.7. While attending Ponchatoula High School, Gilbert was named cross country MVP in 2012 and 2013. Gilbert entered the college level running 4.29 miles.
On the lady’s side, Celia Zaeringer placed 12th overall after finishing the race in 21:26.9 leading her to earn a Southland Conference honorable mention. Zaeringer is from New Orleans and attended Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy.
“For her to come out and what she did as a freshman is incredible. She is the top distance runner from Louisiana that is competing in our conference,” said Brady.
Also, Clarissa Smith from Lapeer, MS. finished 39th after running an impressive time of 23:01.9. While attending Holden High School, Smith was a four year letter winner in track and cross country. During her senior year, she won state championship in cross country.
The Lady Lion’s mid fielder Maggie Ramsey is from Mission Viejo, CA. where she attended Trabuco Hills High School. Ramsey earned team and coach’s MVP throughout her high school career. As a Lion, Ramsey played 20 games throughout the season where she took 43 shots on goal scoring seven of them.
For more stats on outstanding freshmen athletes, visit lionsports.net.
The Lion’s Roar / Jay Love