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LeTourneau University

 

LeTourneau University

 
MEN’S BASKETBALL

The LeTourneau University men’s basketball coaching staff has announced the addition of Bryce Pauler to its recruiting class for the 2016-17 season. The YellowJackets after coming off a 2015-16 season that marked the return of LeTourneau men’s basketball to the American Southwest Conference Tournament, the most wins since 2007-08 and with the return of 13 letter winners.

Bryce Pauler – 6’0 – Guard – Buffalo, Texas (Buffalo HS)

Pauler was a four-year letter winner at Buffalo High School, where he averaged 17.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 3.7 steals per game. As a senior, he was the district MVP, first team all-region, and academic all-state. He also earned District Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year honors during his career. Pauler also plans to play baseball at LeTourneau, where he hit .469 with eight doubles, four triples, and a home run to go with 23 RBI, 26 runs scored and 13 stolen bases as a four-year letter winner. Twice, he was named first team all-district and earned second honors as a sophomore. He also earned all-state honors and MVP district honors as a senior. At LeTourneau, he plans to major in education. His parents, Bryce and Dixie also attended LeTourneau and were members of the baseball and women’s basketball team, respectively.

Miller on Pauler: “Bryce makes our team tougher! We love his willingness to dive on the floor for loose balls, make the hustle plays, take a charge or do whatever it takes to help the team. Bryce is a very physical guard who will provide depth his first season and we believe can turn into an excellent guard in the ASC as he gets better each year at the college level. Other schools were recruiting Bryce, but we feel this is a perfect fit where Bryce can get an excellent education at a Christian school and be a two-sport athlete his first year and see where that takes him. Bryce rounds out an excellent 2016 recruiting class, and we are thrilled to add Bryce to our LETU Basketball family!”

WOMEN’S GOLF

LeTourneau University head golf coach Walt Williams has announced the addition of two new players – Lauren Johnson and Stephanie Starr – on the women’s side for 2016-17.

Lauren Johnson – Lufkin, Texas (Hudson HS)

As a four-year letter winner at Hudson High School, they were a three-time district champion and three-time state qualifier. Johnson was honorable mention all-state as a senior. At LeTourneau, she plans on majoring in civil engineering.

The Coach’s Take: “Lauren is a player, who has had a lot of success in East Texas and help our women’s team get to the next level of collegiate golf.”

Stephanie Starr – Gilmer, Texas (New Diana High School)

For the last three years, she has been a letter winner in multiple sports at New Diana High School. Starr was all-district as a senior and this summer. She has won a pair of Ark-La-Tex Junior Golf Tour stops. At LeTourneau, she plans on majoring in criminal justice.

The Coach’s Take: “Stephanie is a splendid athlete that has starred in other sports and just recently focused on golf. Her best game days are ahead of her with a bright future at LeTourneau.”

MEN’S GOLF

LeTourneau University head golf coach Walt Williams has announced the addition of four new players on the men’s side for 2016-17.

Buster Byrnes (Center, Texas), Tyler Cobb (Conroe, Texas), Chase Esparza (Hideaway, Texas) and Josh Kelly (Jersey Village, Texas) will join the YellowJackets.

Buster Byrnes – Timpson, Texas (Center HS)

Byrnes comes to LeTourneau after being a four-time team MVP and three-time all-district at Center High School, where they won 12 team titles and reached the regional tournament on three occasions. Throughout high school, he was on the A-B Honor Roll and at LeTourneau, he plans on majoring in marketing.

The Coach’s Take: “Buster has been a dominant force in East Texas High School golf for the last few years. We are fortunate to get a player of his caliber.”

Tyler Cobb – Conroe, Texas (Oak Ridge HS)

Cobb comes to LeTourneau after being a four-year letter winner at Oak Ridge High School and co-captain as a senior. At LeTourneau, he plans on majoring in business.

The Coach’s Take: “Tyler is coming from one of the strongest districts in Texas high school golf from Conroe/Woodlands. He has had significant experience against that level of competition which will benefit him in his four years at LeTourneau.”

Chase Esparza – Hideaway, Texas (Cedar Park HS)

Esparza will be a sophomore at LeTourneau after he played 21 rounds at Oklahoma Christian with the best round of 71 and two top 25 finishes as a freshman season at Oklahoma Christian University. He attended Cedar Park High School, helping his team to a pair of top-three finishes in the Texas Class 4A state prep tournament. In the Class 4A tournament, Esparza tied for 11th individually, where he earned all-district, all-region, and academic all-district honors as a senior and all-district honors as a junior.

The Coach’s Take: “Chase comes to LeTourneau as a transfer with a year’s of experience on the NCAA Division II level. Before that, he played in a high-quality program in Austin and could be a difference maker.”

Josh Kelly – Jersey Village, Texas (Jersey Village HS)

As a four-year letter winner at Jersey Village High School, he served as the team captain and was named team MVP, both as a junior and as a senior. As a junior, he also picked up Most Improved honors. At LeTourneau, he plans on majoring in aviation.

The Coach’s Take: “Josh is a spectacular athlete that is a latecomer to golf and has great potential to develop in the game.”
Danny Kambel
LeTourneau University
Sports Information Director
www.letuathletics.com