BEAUMONT, Texas – Seven Lamar University student-athletes, representing six teams, have been named National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-Americans. The list of NSCA All-Americans includes Peyton Sanderson (baseball), Kanin Dodge (baseball), Brooks Caple (baseball), Tanner Wilson (baseball), Natalee Bergeron (women's cross country and track and field), Linnea Jerlebo (women's golf) and Taliah Hill (women's basketball).
 
Over the course of the past three seasons, Lamar University has had 19 student-Athletes across 10 different teams receive the honor.
 
Lamar's group of seven has seen their hard work in the weight room pay off in the competition arena. Five student-athletes have played for teams that were ranked in the nation's top 25 at one point this season, two have been a part of conference title teams and the four baseball players represent a team that is currently first in the Southland standings.
 
The NSCA All-America honor recognizes athletic accomplishments and student-athlete dedication to strength and conditioning, while maintaining academic prominence.
 
Founded in 1978, the NSCA is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing strength and conditioning and related sport science professions around the world. The NSCA exists to empower a community of professionals to maximize their impact through disseminating evidence-based knowledge and its practical application by offering industry-leading certifications, research journals, career development services, networking opportunities and continuing education. The NSCA community is composed of more than 60,000 members and certified professional throughout the world who further industry standards as researchers, educators, strength and conditioning coaches, performances and sport scientists, personal trainers, tactical professionals and other related roles.
 
Considered one of the nation's top strength and conditioning coordinators, Darcy has served as the university's coordinator for the past eight seasons. During that time, he has made it commonplace for LU male and female student-athletes to be recognized for their work in the weight room.
 
Quotes from LU Strength and Condition Staff:
Dan Darcy on Peyton Sanderson
"Peyton Sanderson came in day one with a high intensity approach to life. His everyday energy and effort to challenge himself and his teammates on and off the field is highly valuable. Sanderson has become one of the strongest and most respected players on the team. No matter his role (starter, pinch hitter, pinch runner) he stays ready and fulfills his responsibility at a high level."
 
Dan Darcy on Kanin Dodge
Kanin is "Mr. Consistent." Dodge brings the same attention to detail, intent and purpose daily. He challenges himself and his teammates to improve in the weight room every lift. His efforts have been rewarded by staying healthy and starting every game since his arrival last season. His lead by example approach to life positively impacts his teammates and anyone who crosses his path.
 
Dan Darcy on Brooks Caple
Brooks is a laser focused leader of the pitching staff. He brings the same effort and intensity daily. Although he doesn't say much, when he does speak his teammates respect his words. He possesses tremendous intrinsic motivation to develop into the best version of himself and is always looking for a competitive advantage.
 
Dan Darcy on Tanner Wilson
Tanner is "Mr. Resilient." Tanner has earned his way from non-starter to starter during his four seasons at Lamar. He has worked his tail off to add 15-plus pounds of muscle mass and build his durability over his career. He has overcome every possible obstacle on and off the field and continues to remain optimistic. Tanner has found a way to turn a negative into a positive and take his work rate up a notch with every challenge he faces. Tanner exemplifies a resiliency that few people possess and I look forward to his future successes.
 
Justin Huynh on Natalee Bergeron
Natalee Bergeron is a consistent figure for Lamar University strength and conditioning. She is attentive to every single detail for each exercise, holds herself and teammates to a high standard of training and always gives her best effort. You can always see Natalee taking the initiative on small tasks such as cleaning the weight room or helping her teammates understand the purpose of certain exercises. Congratulations Natalee, continue to give your best self, we are honored to award you as an NSCA All-American!
 
Miles Edmond on Linnea Jerlebo
Linnea is the epitome of a team player and what every coach strives for as both an athlete and an individual. She comes in every day with a positive attitude looking to get better and always tries to bring others along with her. Her work ethic is contagious and it shows not just in the weight room, but in everything that she does.
 
Austin St. Cyr on Taliah Hill
Taliah has truly shown Lamar University what it means to be a strength and conditioning All-American. She not only set two women's basketball program records on back squat and bench during the offseason, she also beat her own bench record prior to the start of the season.
 
She has battled through adversity time and against and always comes out on top. Taliah also drastically improved her body composition this offseason by focusing on proper nutrition and fueling. She brings positive energy to her lifts and her teammates; always putting a smile on our faces. I'm thankful for the opportunity to coach Taliah Hill.