Wheat and Zanders Named North Oaks Sports Medicine Student-Athletes

The North Oaks Sports Medicine and North Oaks Orthopedic Specialty Center teams have selected Blayre Wheat of Springfield and Gary Zanders of Independence as “Student-Athletes of the 2023-2024 Spring Season.”

Aspiring future nurse Blayre Wheat graduated from Springfield High School with a 4.0 GPA and will attend Southeastern Louisiana University in the fall. She is the daughter of Keri Wheat.

Throughout all four years of high school, Wheat displayed her versatility as a basketball guard and softball outfielder for the Lady Bulldogs. In Wheat’s senior softball season, she stole 16 bases and posted a .200 batting average with a .564 OPS.

“Blayre led by example, mastering the art of time management to effectively juggle academics, sports and extracurricular activities,” asserts North Oaks Sports Medicine Certified Athletic Trainer Haleigh Laylle. “She set the bar high, not just for herself, but also for her teammates.”

Wheat balanced her athletic and academic pursuits with active membership in the Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Independence High Magnet School’s Gary Zanders graduated with a 3.0 GPA. He is the son of Tiffany Steptoe and Charles Williams.

An avid angler, Zanders played football and baseball for the Tigers all four years of high school. He will continue his football career on scholarship at Virginia University of Lynchburg, where he plans to major in engineering.

Zanders distinguished himself not only on the football field but in baseball as a centerfielder. In his senior season, he posted .408 batting average and on-base percentage of .548, hitting three triples and one home run with 24 stolen bases.

In his nomination of Zanders, North Oaks Sports Medicine Lead High School Athletic Trainer Jeremy Kulbeth wrote, “Gary is not just a player, he is a true leader in every sense – both on the field and in the classroom. When he was sidelined due to an injury during his junior year, he demonstrated impressive resilience by consistently seeking my guidance on strategies to improve and recover. Gary is the kind of person who rolls up his sleeves and gets to work, whether it is lending a hand to others or giving his all in everything he pursues. His pride in Independence High Magnet School athletics, his self-respect and his loyalty toward his teammates all earned him my nomination.”

North Oaks Sports Medicine’s Student-Athletes of the Season must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, excel in athletic competition, participate in school and community service organizations, and garner the respect of coaches, teammates, officials, teachers and their peers.

“Student-Athletes of the Year” will be selected from all fall, winter and spring season honorees.

From left: North Oaks Sports Medicine Certified Athletic Trainer Haleigh Laylle, student-athlete honoree Blayre Wheat and Springfield High School Head Softball Coach Ashley Ledet.

From left: Independence High School Head Baseball Coach Vernon Willie and student-athlete honoree Gary Zanders. (Not pictured is North Oaks Sports Medicine Lead High School Athletic Trainer Jeremy Kulbeth.)