Chuck Norris Raising Cane’s visit
Shreveport Times
Northwood cross country standout Lindsey “Duck Duck” Deaver became the first Lady Falcon this year to win the fifth Times online poll for Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission.
Deaver and her Northwood supporters were able to secure 15,865 votes, a solid 37 percent of the 43,325 votes cast, in the weekly online recognition. That allowed the junior to narrowly defeat Airline volleyball standout Ariana Wilkinson, who picked up a noteworthy 13,562 votes (31 percent), to make a run at the honor.
Deaver, the only member of the Northwood XC team, will receive a backpack, gift card for a boxed lunch combo, sunglasses, a key chain and some chap stick courtesy of Raising Cane’s.
Northwood cross country coach Austin Brown said Deaver is “very passionate about running” and about “being a Northwood Falcon.”
“Nothing ever less than 100 percent in everything Lindsey does from academics to community involvement to sports,” Brown said.
Deaver has been running since she was 12 years old, primarily making training runs on her own. She completed her first half-marathon at the age of 13 and has competed in a number of 5K, 10K and half-marathons. She is captain of the Northwood junior varsity volleyball team and competes with the varsity.
Northwood principal Shannon Wall said Deaver is an exceptional student.
“And one who has found her place in distance running and volleyball,” Wall said. “An interesting fact about her is that she raises ducks, so I call her ‘Ducky.’ On the exterior she seems to be very shy, but in reality she is a fierce competitor.”
Deaver obtained three baby Peking ducks when she was in the eighth grade and now she’s in charge of 10 adult ducks.
“All my friends call me ‘Duck Duck,’ ” she said chuckling.
She is in honors classes and maintains a GPA above 4.0, while participating in multiple clubs and organizations.
Others on the fourth ballot of the school year were Abigail Jackson, Parkway swimming; Shane Hartnett, Benton swimming; Ansleigh Smith, Captain Shreve volleyball; Aaronyana Wilson, Evangel volleyball; Teddy Gowen, Many cross country; Justin Sibley, Minden cross country; Alayna Spearman, North Caddo cheerleading and LeighAnne Ballew, Byrd cheerleading.
They were chosen because of their performance the previous week or because their names were submitted by their coach.
The Times poll is posted each Monday at shreveporttimes.com with a new slate of student-athletes in high school sports other than football.
The Times online only poll runs through Thursday midnight. The poll includes northwest Louisiana athletes competing in volleyball, cross country, swimming, cheerleading, basketball, soccer, wrestling, powerlifting, indoor and outdoor track, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, bowling, gymnastics and fishing while those sports are in season.
Twitter: @JimmyWatson6
Winners for 2020-21:
Anna Clair Mackey, Byrd volleyball
Alexis Haley, Captain Shreve cheerleading
Julia Drozdz, Airline swimming
Ellie Inman, Ruston volleyball
Lindsey Deaver, Northwood cross country