ASC Announces Fall Distinguished Scholar-Athletes
RICHARDSON, Texas – Six student-athletes from three different member universities headline the 2017 Fall American Southwest Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams, the league office announced on Wednesday,
The Distinguished Scholar-Athlete recipients include John Will of University of Texas at Dallas in men’s cross country, Lindsey Rayborn of UT Dallas in women’s cross country, Zane Boles of University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in football, Luke Lopez of UMHB in men’s soccer, Kenne Kessler of Hardin-Simmons University in women’s soccer and Sarah Paolini of UMHB in volleyball.
Overall, they named 68 student-athletes to The American Southwest Conference 2017 Fall Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams.
The Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams recognizes student-athletes who achieve a high level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the sports information directors from the 13 ASC member institutions and two affiliate members select a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in each game.
John Will (Virginia Beach, Va.) is the first men’s cross country runner from UT Dallas to receive Distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. A three-time All-ASC recipient, the junior placed ninth at the 2017 ASC Championships with a time of 27:34. He recorded a personal-best 8K time of 27:00 at the NCAA Division III South/Southeast Regional, placing 91st. Will helped the Comets to their second straight second-place finish at the ASC Championships.
Lindsey Rayborn (Pocatello, Idaho) is the fourth consecutive recipient in women’s cross country for UTD. The senior was a co-recipient of the award in 2016 and is just the second person to receive the award more than once in the sport. Rayborn was the ASC Individual Medalist for the second straight year with a meet record time of 22:37. A four-time All-ASC First Team selection, she placed ninth at the NCAA South/Southeast Regional with a personal best 6K mark of 21:55, earning All-Region honors and qualifying for the NCAA Division III National Championship Meet. Rayborn also helped the Comets claim the conference title for the second year in a row.
Zane Boles (Henderson, Texas) is the third student-athlete from UMHB to win the award in football. He is the only two-time ASC winner of the NCAA Elite 90 Award, which he received before the 2017 Stagg Bowl in December. Boles was a CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team selection, and two-time ASC Academic Al-Conference pick. The senior averaged 38.6 yards per punt with 15 kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Boles also recorded ten punts of 50 yards or more with a long of 71. His play helped the Cru win an ASC Championship and runner-up in NCAA Division III with a No. 2 national ranking.
Luke Lopez (Abilene, Texas) is the third Distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year from Mary Hardin-Baylor in men’s soccer. The senior was the top defender for the ASC Champion Cru, and his play helped lead UMHB to the NCAA third round for the first time in program history. Lopez was a First Team All-ASC selection, assisting the Cru to post ten shutouts and limiting opponents to 0.66 goals against average. He was a team captain and for a team that finished No. 16 in the national rankings.
Kenne Kessler (Highland Village, Texas) is the sixth consecutive HSU student-athlete and eighth overall to win the award in women’s soccer. The junior was the CoSIDA Academic Al-America of the Year and a First Team All-American by D3soccer.com and the United Soccer Coaches. Kessler led the Cowgirls to the NCAA Championship Semifinals and a conference title by breaking the ASC record with 37 goals, the sixth-most in a single season in Division III history. She was the ASC Offensive Player of the Year as well.
Sarah Paolini (Kalispell, Mont.) is the fifth volleyball Distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year from UMHB. She was a CoSIDA Academic All-America and First Team Academic Al-District selection. The sophomore also earned All-ASC and First Team All-West Division honors. Paolini hit .373 with 269 kills on the season and led the Cru with 27 aces to go with 100 total blocks. She helped UMHB to a 28-5 record and a spot in the ASC Championship match.
ASC Fall 2017 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams
(Sport’s Distinguished Scholar-Athlete*)
Men’s Cross Country
Name | University | Cl. | Major | GPA | Hometown |
John Will* | UT Dallas | Jr. | Biomedical Engineering | 3.79 | Virginia Beach, Va. |
Owen Taylor | Belhaven | Sr. | Accounting | 3.95 | Fayette, Ala. |
Andrew Freichs | Concordia Texas | So. | Communications | 3.67 | Liberty Hill, Texas |
Beau Billings | East Texas Baptist | Jr. | Biology | 3.50 | Mansfield, Texas |
Nathan McEndree | Hardin-Simmons | So. | Ministry | 4.00 | Keller, Texas |
Austin Coblentz | LeTourneau | Sr. | Mechanical Engineering | 3.62 | Stayton, Ore. |
Tyler Rohrman | McMurry | So. | Biomedical Science | 3.29 | Waller, Texas |
Joseph Parker | Sul Ross State | Jr. | Geology | 3.41 | Burnet, Texas |
Justin Tukoz | UT Tyler | Jr. | Finance | 3.75 | Rockwall, Texas |
Women’s Cross Country
Name | University | Cl. | Major | GPA | Hometown |
Lindsey Rayborn* | UT Dallas | Sr. | Geosciences | 3.92 | Pocatello, Idaho |
Brooklyn Schumaker | Belhaven | Sr. | Accounting | 3.95 | Moscow, Idaho |
Emily Villines | Concordia Texas | Jr. | Mathematics | 3.21 | Huntsville, Texas |
Chloe Hudson | East Texas Baptist | Jr. | Chemistry | 3.92 | Katy, Texas |
Emily Olguin | Hardin-Simmons | So. | Exercise Science | 3.84 | Arlington, Texas |
Alexis Segura | LeTourneau | Jr. | Kinesiology/Sport Mngmt | 4.00 | Austin, Texas |
Haleigh Lachney | Louisiana College | So. | Media Production | 3.95 | Simpson, La. |
Kylie Fonville | McMurry | So. | Theater Education | 3.68 | Azle, Texas |
Hannah Smith | Ozarks | Jr. | Accounting | 3.87 | Blue Eye, Mo. |
Nyria Sanchez | Sul Ross State | So. | Kinesiology | 3.64 | Uvalde, Texas |
Rachel Willis | UT Tyler | Sr. | Kinesiology | 3.55 | Hallsville, Texas |
Football
Name | University | Cl. | Major | GPA | Hometown |
Zane Boles* | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Sr. | Pre-Physical Therapy | 3.96 | Henderson, Texas |
Parker Robinson | Belhaven | So. | Accounting | 4.00 | Madison, Miss. |
Ty Parsons | East Texas Baptist | Sr. | Accounting | 3.50 | Rowlett, Texas |
Colton Kent | Hardin-Simmons | Jr. | Social Studies | 3.95 | Cisco, Texas |
Abner Reyes | Howard Payne | Sr. | Accounting | 3.73 | Irving, Texas |
Ryan Morris | Louisiana College | Sr | Biology | 3.85 | DeRidder, La. |
Jamir Bowser | McMurry | Sr. | Computer Science | 3.30 | Austin, Texas |
AJ Daniels | Southwestern | Jr. | Psychology | 3.73 | Benbrook, Texas |
Steven Savedra | Sul Ross State | Sr. | Kinesiology | 3.44 | El Paso, Texas |
Alejandro Briseno | Texas Lutheran | Sr. | Kinesiology | 3.59 | Brownsville, Texas |
Men’s Soccer
Name | University | Cl. | Major | GPA | Hometown |
Luke Lopez* | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Sr. | Exercise Physiology | 3.77 | Abilene, Texas |
Somto Ngwudike | Belhaven | Sr. | Chemistry | 3.89 | Onitshia, Nigeria |
Ronny Garza | Concordia Texas | Jr. | Pre-Nursing | 3.40 | Austin, Texas |
Jordan Burke | East Texas Baptist | Sr. | Biology | 3.81 | League City, Texas |
Danny Benyamin | Hardin-Simmons | Sr. | Environmental Science | 3.84 | Cedar Park, Texas |
Daniel Lemus | Howard Payne | Sr. | Exercise & Sport Science | 3.60 | Salado, Texas |
Alec Wier | LeTourneau | Jr. | Business Administration | 3.41 | Cypress, Texas |
Charles Firmin | Louisiana College | Sr. | Management/Marketing | 4.00 | Alexandria, La. |
Javi Mejia | McMurry | So. | Art | 3.84 | Azle, Texas |
Thomas Ross | Ozarks | Jr. | Mathematics | 3.99 | Heath, Texas |
Danny Meyer | UT Dallas | Sr. | Global Business | 3.62 | Phoenix, Ariz. |
Lucas Pereira | UT Tyler | Jr. | Electrical Engineering | 3.52 | Barcelona, Spain |
Women’s Soccer
Name | University | Cl. | Major | GPA | Hometown |
Kenne Kessler* | Hardin-Simmons | Jr. | Biology | 4.00 | Highland Village, Texas |
Dominique Farias | Belhaven | Jr. | Accounting | 3.77 | Ballito, South Africa |
Kayla Carlove | Concordia Texas | So. | Kinesiology | 4.00 | Carrollton, Texas |
Heather Brady | East Texas Baptist | Sr. | Business | 3.72 | Humble, Texas |
Kaitlyn Harrison | Howard Payne | Jr | Athletic Training | 4.00 | Watauga, Texas |
Sarah Harder | LeTourneau | Jr. | Interdisciplinary Studies | 4.00 | Pearland, Texas |
McKenna Raines | Louisiana College | So. | Psychology | 4.00 | League City, Texas |
Sarah Rempe | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Sr. | Cellular Biology | 4.00 | Lewisville, Texas |
Olivia Allard | Ozarks | Jr. | Biology | 3.38 | Rogers, Ark. |
Hailey Pace | Sul Ross State | Jr. | Criminal Justice | 3.53 | Oakley, Calif. |
Melissa Fulfer | UT Dallas | Jr. | Computer Sciences | 3.82 | Arlington, Texas |
Caroline Williams | UT Tyler | Sr. | Kinesiology | 3.51 | Frisco, Texas |
Volleyball
Name | University | Cl. | Major | GPA | Hometown |
Sarah Paolini* | Mary Hardin-Baylor | So. | Nursing | 4.00 | Kalispell, Mont. |
Ryan Hardin | Belhaven | Jr. | Nursing | 4.00 | Alpine, Texas |
Marissa Stinson | Concordia Texas | So. | Business Entrepreneurship | 3.97 | Pearland, Texas |
Abby Weaver | East Texas Baptist | Sr. | International Studies | 3.67 | Richardson, Texas |
Allison Kuster | Hardin-Simmons | Jr. | Psychology | 3.95 | Mansfield, Texas |
Cheyanne Lovelady | Howard Payne | Sr. | Personal Training | 3.28 | Bangs, Texas |
Korissa White | LeTourneau | Sr. | Interdisciplinary Studies | 4.00 | Topeka, Kan. |
Mary Nichols | Louisiana College | So. | Health & Physical Education | 4.00 | Boyce, La. |
Jordyn Burnell | McMurry | So. | Business (Accounting) | 3.55 | Sinton, Texas |
Breann Sturges | Sul Ross State | Sr. | Range Wildlife Management | 3.66 | Woodlake, Calif. |
Caroline Shecterle | UT Dallas | So. | Supply Chain Management | 3.93 | Pearland, Texas |
Brieanne Brown | UT Tyler | Sr. | Biology | 3.48 | Belton, Texas |
*Distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year
TRACK AND FIELD
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Competitions: January 26-27, 2018
MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Michael Harris, Fr., Ozarks
University of the Ozarks freshman Michael Harris (Elkins, Ark.) posted the fastest mile time in the American Southwest Conference this season after running a 4:34.04 at the Pittsburg State Invitational in Pittsburg, Kan. His time is the 23rd-fastest in the South/Southeast Region.
MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Tiyoshi Hopes, Fr., McMurry
McMurry University freshman Tiyoshi Hopes (Abilene, Texas) cleared a high jump of 1.94 meters (6 ft-4.25 in.) at the Pittsburg State Invitational. He placed 11th at the meet and has the top height in the ASC and the fourth-best in the region. Hopes also ran a leg in the 4×400 meter relay.
WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Josie Drury, Fr., McMurry
McMurry freshman Josie Drury (Cleburne, Texas) ran a school-record time of 1:30.23 in the 600 yards, breaking the three-year-old record by .17 seconds. She finished 14th in the event at the Pittsburg State Invitational and has the top 600-yard mark in the ASC this season. Drury also ran the anchor leg of the War Hawks’ 4×400 meter relay, which won its heat of 4:08.35.
WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Aliah McPhaul, Jr., Belhaven
Belhaven University junior Aliah McPhaul (Leesville, La.) led the Blazers by placing third in the shot put with a school record 12.90 meters (42 ft.-4 in.), placing third at the McNeese Indoor II in Lake Charles, La. Her mark ranks 21st in NCAA Division III and leads the South/Southeast Region. McPhaul also recorded a school record in the weight throw with 13.64 meters (44 ft.-9 in.), which is the second-best in the ASC and seventh in the region this season.
OTHER TOP MEN’S PERFORMANCES
Louisiana College freshman Richard Breaux (Rayne, La.) set a school record with a shot put of 11.40 meters (37 ft.-5 in.) at the McNeese Indoor II, finishing 16th. His distance ranks fourth in the ASC.
LeTourneau University freshman Alex Hindman (Seminole, Texas) improved upon his pole vault mark by clearing 4.40 meters (14 ft.-5.25 in.), placing third and posting the second-best South/Southeast Region height.
LeTourneau freshman Nathan Glastetter (Imperial, Mo.) took eighth place in 2:08.90 in the 800 meters at the McNeese Indoor II.
Belhaven junior Tyler Blanchard (Bloomington, Minn.) placed 11th in the 55-meter dash with a school record 6.90 seconds, the best in the ASC this season.
OTHER TOP WOMEN’S PERFORMANCES
Ozarks junior Hannah Smith (Blue Eye, Mo.) placed 11th with a 3,000-meter time of 11:16.88 at the Pittsburg State Invitational. Her time is the 44th-best in the region and second in the conference.
Louisiana College freshman Qwaniqua Howard (Jena, La.) shaved more than a second off her personal best time in the 200-meter dash at 28.58 at the McNeese Indoor II.
Louisiana College sophomore Kennedy Hall (Pineville, La.) had a shot put of 9.15 meters (30 ft.-.5 in.) at the McNeese Indoor II, placing 16th.
LeTourneau senior Crystal Jones (Fort Worth, Texas) recorded the top long jump in the conference at 5.00 meters (16 ft.-5 in.), placing third at the McNeese Indoor II. Her mark is eighth-best in the South/Southeast Region.
LeTourneau sophomore Alexis Segura (Austin, Texas) finished eighth in the mile at 5:51.91 and 15th in the 3,000 meters in 11:55.59 at the McNeese Indoor II.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Games: January 22-27, 2018
EAST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Diamond Goodwyn, Jr., F, Ozarks
University of the Ozarks junior forward Diamond Goodwyn (Gladewater, Texas) pushed the Eagles to a 2-1 road record by averaging 20.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. She also shot 55 percent (22-of-40) from the field. Goodwyn had 19 points and 11 boards in a 68-63 overtime victory at Hardin-Simmons, then came up with 28 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in a 64-63 win at LeTourneau.
CO-WEST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Mercedes Ellison, Jr., G, Concordia Texas
Concordia University of Texas junior guard Mercedes Ellison (Victoria, Texas) earned the second Player of the Week honors of her career by averaging 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.7 steals, leading the Tornados to a 3-0 week. She posted 14 points with six boards, four assists and three steals in a 67-55 win against UT Dallas, then a career-best 24 points with four steals against Sul Ross State. Ellison finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and four more steals in a 56-44 victory over Howard Payne.
CO-WEST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Kendall Rollins, So., G, Mary Hardin-Baylor
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore guard Kendall Rollins (Fulshear, Texas) picked up her second Player of the Week award of the year by averaging 18.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, helping the Cru to a pair of wins and move into first place in the ASC West Division. She had 12 points and seven boards in a 72-66 win over Howard Payne to start the week. Rollins recorded 25 points and 13 rebounds in a 90-68 victory against Sul Ross State.
OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES
EAST DIVISION
The University of Texas at Tyler junior forward Bianca Valderrama (Corpus Christi, Texas) helped the Patriots to a pair of ASC East Division wins by scoring 14 points in both wins against East Texas Baptist and LeTourneau. She also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game coming off the bench.
Louisiana College senior center Brooke Jones (Covington, La.) averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game as the Wildcats split. She recorded 22 points and seven rebounds against UT Dallas.
East Texas Baptist sophomore guard Kim Childress (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game as the Tigers went 1-1 on the week. She posted 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in 40 minutes in a loss to UT Tyler. She then scored nine points with three assists in a 69-56 win against Ozarks.
LeTourneau University freshman guard Keauna Whitfield (Rosebud, Texas) recorded her ninth double-double of the year with 12 points and ten rebounds against UT Tyler. She also had a team-high 16 points and hauled in six rebounds in a loss to Ozarks.
The University of Texas at Dallas freshman guard Raenett Hughes (College Station, Texas) averaged 15.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as she sparked the Comets to a 2-1 record. She also shot 63.3 percent (19-of-30) from the field and recorded her first collegiate double-double with 21 points and ten rebounds in a loss at Concordia Texas. Hughes then had 13 points and five board in a win over Belhaven and 13 points and nine rebounds in Saturday’s 81-73 victory against Louisiana College.
WEST DIVISION
McMurry University sophomore forward Skyler Reyna (San Antonio, Texas) had back-to-back double-doubles, helping the War Hawks win over crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons. In that game, she posted 19 points and 12 rebounds. The next night against NCCAA Division 2 No. 1-ranked Arlington Baptist, Reyna had 11 points and ten boards.
Sul Ross State University junior guard Angalyn Latin (Houston, Texas) averaged 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in the Lady Lobos two losses.
Women’s Basketball Standings – http://ascsports.org/standings.aspx?standings=178&path=wbball
MEN’S BASKETBALL
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Games: January 22-27, 2018
EAST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Dimitrius Underwood, So., G, UT-Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas sophomore guard Dimitrius Underwood (Mesquite, Texas) won his second Player of the Week honors of the year by leading the Comets to a 3-0 week. He averaged 19.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 assists per game. Underwood opened the week with 20 points and a career-high 17 rebounds Monday in a 101-100 road win at Concordia Texas. He then added 15 points and four boards in a 103-54 home win against Belhaven. Underwood wrapped the week with his sixth double-double of the year and 24 points and 12 rebounds in an 82-63 win against Louisiana College.
WEST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Khyce Randall, Sr., G, Howard Payne
Howard Payne University senior guard Khyce Randall (Beaumont, Texas) earned his third Player of the Week award of the season and sixth of his career by averaging 33.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as the Yellow Jackets split a pair of games. In a loss at Mary Hardin-Baylor, Randall recorded 30 points and five rebounds while hitting five three-pointers. He followed with 27 points, nine boards and six assists in a 93-84 win at Concordia Texas.
OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES
EAST DIVISION
Louisiana College junior forward Devon Washington (Houston, Texas) averaged a double-double of 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 78.9 percent (15-of-19) from the field as the Wildcats split a pair of conference games.
East Texas Baptist University freshman forward Westin Riddick (Benton, Ark.) led the Tigers to two ASC wins to remain in a tie for first place in the East Division. He hit the game-winning three-pointer with two seconds left in an 80-79 victory against UT Tyler on Thursday. He scored 25 points in the game and was 7-of-12 from beyond the arc. Riddick hit five more threes en route to 15 points in a win over Ozarks on Saturday.
LeTourneau University junior forward Caleb Loggins (Lewisville, Texas) led the YellowJackets to a pair of wins on the week by averaging 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals and a block per game. On Thursday against Ozarks, he had 13 points, eight boards, and three assists before following up with 24 points and seven rebounds against UT Tyler.
University of the Ozarks freshman guard Zach Bobo (Jacksonville, Ark.) averaged 14.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in the Eagles three losses.
The University of Texas at Tyler senior forward Skyler Hadden (Waco, Texas) led the Patriots by averaging 22.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in a pair of road losses. He scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a one-point loss at LeTourneau. For the week, Hadden shot 52.9 percent (18-of-34) from the field and recorded four steals.
WEST DIVISION
McMurry University senior forward LaRandall Scroggins (Carrollton, Texas) had back-to-back 20-point performances as the War Hawks won games on two consecutive nights. He had a game-high 24 points with nine rebounds in an 83-78 win over crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons. Scroggins then scored 20 points in the non-conference victory over Arlington Baptist. He averaged 220 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor junior forward Brian Long (Killeen, Texas) averaged 24.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as he helped the Cru move into a tie for second place in the West Division. He put in a team-high 19 points in an 87-70 win against Howard Payne. Long followed with a career-high 29 points in a last-second loss to Sul Ross State. For the week, he shot 63 percent (19-of-30) from the field.
Sul Ross State University freshman guard Tristen Licon (El Paso, Texas) nailed a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Lobos a 97-95 win at Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday. He recorded 12 points and an assist in the game. Licon also posted 14 points, five assists and a pair of steals in a 95-94 loss at Concordia Texas.
Concordia University Texas junior guard Ephriam Price III (Lake Charles, La.) averaged 22.3 points per game, including back-to-back 30-plus point performances against UT Dallas and Sul Ross State. He scored a career-high 36 points against the Comets while reaching the 1,000-point career mark. Price scored 24 first-half points on the way to 31 in a win over Sul Ross State.
Men’s Basketball Standings – http://ascsports.org/standings.aspx?standings=181&path=mbball
Cody Usher
Assistant Commissioner