LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock Trojan senior student-athletes will cap off their Trojan careers as they are set to graduate tomorrow, Saturday, May 14, at the Jack Stephens Center.
There will be two commencement ceremonies held on campus, with the first beginning at 9 a.m., and the second at 2 p.m.
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"Graduation weekend is one of the proudest moments of the year for Little Rock Athletics because it represents the true mission of college athletics - preparing young people for success in life," said Director of Athletics
Frank M. Cuervo. "We celebrate these Trojan student-athletes not only for what they accomplished in competition, but for the discipline, perseverance and commitment they demonstrated in the classroom every day. Earning a degree while competing at the Division I level is an extraordinary achievement, and we could not be more proud of each graduate and the example they set for our department and university community."
Nearly every Trojan program will be represented during commencement weekend, with Women's Golf being the lone team without a senior student-athlete graduating this year. Track & Field leads all programs with 14 graduating seniors between the men's and women's teams, while Baseball follows with 11.
Due to competition commitments, the Baseball and Track & Field seniors will participate in a separate graduation ceremony on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Little Rock Athletics also hosted a senior reception Friday evening at the Ray Tucker Legends Club inside the Jack Stephens Center to celebrate the graduating class and reflect on the accomplishments and memories made throughout their time as Trojans.
"I am proud to have played a small part in their student-athlete experience at Little Rock and to be able to provide the academic resources and support they needed to succeed and earn their degrees," said Senior Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Student-Athlete Support Services
Natalie Hawkins. "Balancing the demands of college academics while competing as a Division I athlete is no easy task, and this class has shown tremendous dedication, resilience and determination throughout the process.
"They now leave with not only their accomplishments in athletics, but also the skills, experiences and degrees that will guide them into the next chapter of their lives. I am grateful to have been part of their journey and proud to celebrate all they have achieved."
Here is a full list of the graduating senior student-athletes for both the Spring and Summer terms.
Men's Basketball
Braxton Bayless
Tuongthach Gatkek
Johnathan Lawson
Women's Basketball
Alaina Payne
Naomi Smitherman
Baseball
Josh Beezley
Nic Bronzini
Malcolm Brown
Brody Bunting
Angel Cano
Cooper Chaplain
Blake Van Cleve
Ryan Geck
Trent Jordan
Ty Rhoades
Waylon Sebren
Men's Golf
Rhett South
Soccer
Amaya Arias
Emma Beattie
Serenity Thake
Peyton Urban
Swimming & Diving
Duru Sibik
Track & Field/Cross Country
Cayla Anthony
Carolin Bielert
Ragen Hodge
Sutton Manatt
Brooklyn Marcee
TaVieon Neal
Takia Palmer
Talia Palmer
Deshawn Roberts
Falon Short
Jordan Smith
Jasmine Torres
JaDerrika Welch-Fields
Patrick Young
Volleyball
Sophia Garrido
Polianna Camilo Hernandez
Jaycee Kennedy
Vivian Lucumi
A'lanae Margaritha
Rylee McClintock
Crismeyli Rodriguez
Kaylee Smith
Wrestling
Matty Bianchi
Kodiak Cannedy
Jayden Gomez
Jaivon Jones
Cael Keck
Brennan Van Hoecke
