Harrogate, TN -- Lincoln Memorial University senior midfielder Briana Martinez has been named the First Century Bank Scholar Athlete of the Week, recognizing her exceptional dedication both on the lacrosse field and in the rigorous academic environment of the chemistry department. From Mount Juliet, Tennessee, Martinez is a senior chemistry major on a pre-med track who maintains an impressive 3.845 grade point average and has earned a spot on the Dean's list every single semester of her academic career. Her athletic career culminated in a stellar 2026 season where she started all 15 games, recording 20 goals, 19 assists, 39 points, 13 ground balls, and six caused turnovers, bringing her career totals to 24 goals, 26 assists, and 50 points across 35 games.
Beyond her athletic contributions, she is deeply involved in campus leadership and academic societies, having represented her fellow lacrosse players on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for two years and joining the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society last spring. Her academic excellence has been recognized consistently through her status as an A.B.E. Scholar for two consecutive years, selections to the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, and the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Furthermore, she earned a place on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Academic Honor Roll in 2026 and the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, cementing her status as a premier student-athlete.
Martinez has excelled as a medical research assistant, successfully co-publishing a paper on physicochemical properties and cytochromes while delivering numerous research presentations at prestigious events such as the American Chemical Society National Annual Meeting, Tennessee Academy of Science Meeting, Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference, Southeast Regional Meeting, and the Tennessee Academy of Science Eastern Collegiate Division Meeting. Her scientific achievements are further underscored by winning the UPLIFT award in 2024 and 2026, alongside active memberships in the American Chemical Society and the Lincoln Memorial Chemistry Club.
Martinez also demonstrates a profound commitment to her community and peers through extensive mentorship and coaching endeavors. She has dedicated more than 700 hours as a peer tutor at the university's TAGGE Center, guiding her fellow students toward academic success, and she shares her passion for sport by volunteering as a travel lacrosse coach at the Nashville United Developmental Lacrosse Club.
