VALDOSTA, Ga.- Blazer football graduate student B.K. Smith and VSU cross-country senior Katie LaCroix were named Steel's Jewelry Athletes of the Week. This is the first Steel's Jewelry Athlete of the Week award for both Smith and LaCroix this season.
 
Smith was a crucial part of the Blazer offense Saturday night, catching eight targets for a season-high 124 yards and one touchdown in the 49-25 win over Keiser. Smith's biggest catch came on a 17-yard touchdown reception on the first VSU drive of the game, tying things up with the Seahawks early, 7-7. The Louisville, Ky. native has a total of 14 targets for 224 yards and three touchdowns through three games this season.
 
LaCroix, a senior from Davenport, Fla., had a great start to the season this past weekend. She placed 13^th and helped the team place fourth overall out of 17 in the Falcon Classic, hosted by Montevallo. She recorded a time of 19:18.7 in the 5k, which crushed her previous PR of 19:54.7 from 2022.
 
Smith and the VSU football team open Gulf South Conference play at home this weekend as it hosts North Greenville with a 7 p.m. kick set for Saturday, September 23. LaCroix and the cross-country team are set to compete at the FSU XC Invite Sept. 29, in Tallahassee, Fla. at 7:40 a.m. For more information on all things Blazer athletics, visit vstateblazers.com.