Leatherman Selected as Lindy Callahan Scholar-Athlete Award Winner

Today, Isabel Leatherman ‘21 was selected as a Lindy Callahan Scholar-Athlete for the Class of 2021. Leatherman is one of 16 students from across the state to receive the award. Honorees are chosen from each of the MHSAA’s eight geographical districts. 

“I feel extremely honored to be selected for this,” Leatherman said. “This award is extremely selective. I owe a lot of this accomplishment to my coach, Tim McDaniel. Without him and the time he spent coaching me and helping me develop as a person, this would not have been possible.”

Students were chosen for their academic accomplishments as well as their participation in high school athletics and extracurricular activities. The recipients were chosen by a committee made up of MHSAA partners and school administrators.

“On behalf of the St. Patrick administration, faculty, and staff, I extend special congratulations to Isabel Leatherman for being named the 2021 MHSAA Lindy Callahan Scholar Athlete for our district,” said St. Patrick Principal Matt Buckley. “It is evident through Isabel’s dedication toward academic achievement and her commitment to athletic excellence that she is highly deserving of this award and scholarship, and she continues to make us all at St. Patrick very proud!”

Leatherman is a five time Cross Country State Champion. In the fall of 2020, she finished  second individually at the state cross country championship, which helped St. Patrick secure the state title. She has also won two Track and Field State Championships. 

Athletic Director Trey Bailey says it was Leatherman’s hard work that won her the award.

“The Lindy Callahan Award is arguably the most prestigious award a student athlete can receive in the state of Mississippi,” Bailey said. “This is a tremendous honor for Isabel, and becoming St. Patrick’s latest recipient of this award is a culmination of all of the dedication and diligent work she has put into her athletic and academic careers.”

Leatherman will take home a $1,500 scholarship. 

The Scholar-Athlete awards were launched in 1996 to honor Lindy Callahan, a long-time athletic director and coach at Gulfport High School and an eight-time Hall of Fame inductee.

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St. Patrick Catholic High School is a faith-based, college preparatory high school in Biloxi, Mississippi. Established in 2007, St. Patrick strives each day to Educate Scholars, Train Disciples, and Support Champions. St. Patrick is proud to report a 100% college matriculation rate, ACT and SAT scores that far exceed the state and national averages, and a rich history of Catholic education founded in the traditional roots of our legacy schools of St. John High School, Mercy Cross High School, Notre Dame High School, and Sacred Heart Academy. In 2019, St. Patrick was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.