COLUMBUS -- Entering its 11th year of celebrating the athletic and academic success of its female student-athletes, the Columbus State University Department of Athletics announces its Girls In The Game Class of 2026.
The program recognizes a female student-athlete from each of Columbus State's eight NCAA Division II women's sports teams. All honorees receive a one-year academic scholarship and a specially designed Girls In The Game medallion. This year's class includes:
- CROSS COUNTRY: Layla Albright, a sophomore from Columbus, Ga., majoring in Cybersecurity
- BASKETBALL: Alana Hankerson, a freshman from Charlotte, N.C., majoring in Chemistry
- GOLF: Sydney Himes, a sophomore from Columbus, Ga., majoring in Biology
- TENNIS: Finley Jeffers, a freshman from Columbus, Ga., majoring in Health Science
- SOFTBALL: Makenlie Lasseter, a freshman from Franklin, Ga., majoring in Kinesiology
- TRACK & FIELD: Chassidy "Chaz" Lock, a sophomore from Columbus, Ga., majoring in Psychology
- SOCCER: Huda Sayedzada, a junior from Columbus, Ga., majoring in Biology
- CHEER: Brooklyn Sumbry, a sophomore from Phenix City, Ala., majoring in Communication
"We are incredibly impressed by the dedication and resilience shown by the student-athletes chosen to represent our teams this year," said Director of Athletics
Justin Hay. "These young women exemplify the core values and leadership qualities of the Girls In The Game program and Columbus State University. They demonstrate excellence not only in competition on the field and court, but also in their academic achievements and their meaningful contributions to the community."
The Class of 2026 will be recognized at the 11th Annual Girls In The Game Luncheon on Thursday, October 1, at the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center on the university's main campus. Former NFL cheerleader Shannon McKain will be the keynote speaker.
Shannon McKain is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, corporate coach, and ultra-endurance athlete whose work centers on mental resilience, leadership under pressure, and sustainable performance. With a professional background spanning human resources, leadership development, NFL Cheerleading, and lived experience competing at the highest levels of endurance sport, McKain understands both the cost of burnout and the power of rallying together when it matters most.
Her signature framework, Rally Mentality™, was born on the Missouri River during a 340-mile ultra-endurance race completed in just 58 hours, without sleep. In that extreme environment, Shannon experienced firsthand the realities of mental fatigue, stress, self-doubt, and the critical role of team support. That race revealed a simple but powerful truth: resilience is not about going at it alone; it is about learning how to rally; within yourself and with others.
Following the luncheon, McKain will host a free cheerleading clinic at the university's Student Rec Center. The clinic is presented by Columbus Coca-Cola. Tickets for the 11th Annual Girls In The Game Luncheon will go on sale in the coming weeks. Registration for the clinic will open at the same time.
ABOUT GIRLS IN THE GAME
Established in 2015, Girls In The Game's mission is to advance and support female student-athletes at Columbus State University, enabling them to reach their full potential academically and athletically while empowering them to become leaders in life. CSU recognized its first GITG class in 2019; since then, 64 female student-athletes have received scholarships. The eight women's teams represented by the Girls In The Game program are part of the university's 13 NCAA Division II sports teams and the nearly 300 student athletes who, along with the Cheer program, compete as members of the Peach Belt Conference.
