Student-Athletes of the Month Named for November
12/03/2019 | C.A.T.S. Academics
TUCSON, Ariz. – Baseball's Donta Williams, Football's Blake Pfaff, Gymnastics' Sydney Freidin, and Women's Track and Field's Tiana Poirier-Shelton have been honored as the student-athletes of the month for November.
These students have been recognized for their commitment to earning their undergraduate degree, the ability to maximize their academic potential, and their dedication to academic improvement and growth.
These students have been chosen by the C.A.T.S Academic staff.
Williams is a junior from Las Vegas, Nevada and made the 2019 Pac-12 All Defensive Team. Williams is majoring in General Studies and has excelled both on and off the field.
"Donta has consistently shown great independence and organization," said learning specialist Michelle Galambos. He is "managing a caseload of full term and seven week courses."
Pfaff is a sophomore from Lucas, Texas. Pfaff is majoring in Finance and is as dedicated to his school work as he is to football.
"Blake is a Finance major that has done a great job in the classroom during his time here at the U of A" said counselor Corey Talley. "He has balanced the challenges of a student athlete schedule while being able to maintain a great GPA."
Freidin is a junior from Westchester, California who is majoring in Nutritional Sciences. Last season, Freidin competed in every meet during the regular season.
"Sydney is a student-athlete that has always impressed me since she arrived to campus," said counselor Sarah Barber. "She works very hard to get the grades she wants in her classes. I know that I can always count on Sydney to do her best no matter what. Even when she is struggling in a class, I know that she is doing all that she can so that she can still end the class with the best grade possible. There is no doubt that Sydney will find success in whatever she does in her future."
Poirier-Shelton is a Junior from Chandler, Arizona. She is a Public Health major and finished her 2019 outdoor season by finishing the top 20 in the triple jump at the Pac-12 Track and Field Championships.
"Tiana is a Junior Long Jumper from Chandler, Arizona" said counselor Corey Talley. "She is someone who goes above and beyond to be the best that she can be in all facets of life. She is always asking questions about how to get better and is always looking at the big picture. Tiana is someone who is constantly planning ahead and is set to do great things after she leaves the U of A."
