Forty-Six UTEP Student-Athletes Scheduled to Graduate on Saturday

5/9/2024 8:58:00 AM

EL PASO, Texas – Forty-six past and present UTEP student-athletes, representing 12 sports programs, will graduate from the University on Saturday.

Football leads the way with 13 graduates, followed by softball (six), track & field (six), men's basketball (four), men's golf (four), women's basketball (three), women's golf (two), tennis (two), soccer (two), cross country (one) and indoor volleyball (one).  Additionally, Katie Martin and Mia Ruiz represent the initial two graduates from the fledgling UTEP beach volleyball program.

Of the 46 graduates, 12 have been recipients of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medals (minimum 3.75 GPA) during their careers, and 33 have earned placement on the CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (minimum 3.0 GPA).

Biographies follow on each of the Miners' May graduates.

May 2024 UTEP Graduating Student-Athletes

Ashlynn Allen (Softball)                                                         Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Has played in 158 games with 145 starts … has collected seven home runs, 46 RBI and 21 doubles for the Miners … a standout in the field as well with 239 putouts ... honored as an Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in 2023 ... recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Kinesiology major.

Jane Asinde (Women's Basketball)                                        Kampala, Uganda
After following coach Keitha Adams from Wichita State, she was named the 2024 CUSA Newcomer of the Year … was also voted first team All-Conference and to the CUSA All-Defensive Team … led the team with 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while tallying 52 steals, 50 assists and 18 blocks … surpassed 1,000 career points at the Division I level during the season ... earned CUSA Player of the Week honors on Feb. 26…. General Business major.

Marcus Bellon (Football)                                                       Truckee, Calif.
Played two seasons for the Miners, making an impact on offense and special teams … registered 15 catches for 180 yards, aided by a 52-yard touchdown grab against LA Tech in 2022 … posted a 47-yard punt return for a score during the Miners' upset win against Boise State, part of 100 punt return yards in 2022 … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2023) … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Chase Bibler (Football)                                                          Fresno, Calif.
Reserve defensive tackle who played in nine games in 2023 … registered a tackle at Northwestern and on "Senior Night" against Liberty … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Titus Cheruiyot (Men's Track & Field)                                   Eldoret, Kenya
Competed at the 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships and made a return in 2023, placing 58^th out of 236 competitors … finished in second place at the 2023 CUSA Cross Country Championships with a personal-best of 22:42.3 in the 8k … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering major.

Marijn Crouwel (Softball)                                                      Haarlem, Netherlands
Has played in 78 games for the Miners with 53 starts over three seasons after transferring from Odessa College … has collected 25 RBI in her UTEP career, while enjoying her best season as a senior in 2024 with a .362 batting average … two-time Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete ... recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2022, 2023) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023) … Psychology major.

Ines Dakiche (Women's Golf)                                                Paris, France
Competed in eight tournaments for the Miners … tallied a 78.2 scoring average … recorded a career-low round of 69 at the Fresno State Classic her freshman year … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021, 2022) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … International Business major.

Lea Dawson (Women's Golf)                                                 Isle of Man
Competed in seven tournaments for the Miners this season, averaging 77.4 strokes per round … posted a four-under par 68 at the Red Raider Invitational to lead UTEP to a fifth-place finish … recorded her best 54-hole score with an even-par 216 at that tournament, where she was the top UTEP finisher while posting her first top 10 finish as a Miner … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Elena Dibattista (Tennis)                                                        Agrigento, Italy
Racked up nearly 75 combined wins after arriving at UTEP for the 2020 dual-match season … helped the Miners win a match at the CUSA Tournament for the first time since 2009 this year … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021, 2022, 2023) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Management major.

Jon Dos Anjos (Men's Basketball)                                          Curitiba, Brazil
Epitome of perseverance who battled through injuries during his two seasons with the Miners to appear in 44 games … scored 152 points while grabbing 69 rebounds and collecting 14 steals … nearly half of his made field goals were from distance … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Jael Duran (Football)                                                              El Paso, Texas
Two-year member of the UTEP football team … competed with the scout team in both seasons … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2023) … Criminal Justice major.

Pedro Escobar (Football)                                                        El Paso, Texas
Played linebacker for the Miners … saw action at Texas in 2020 … Kinesiology major.

Valerie Gonzalez (Track & Field)                                            El Paso, Texas
Competed with the UTEP cross country and outdoor track and field squads … clocked in with a personal-best time of 24:57.8 in the 6k at the 2020 CUSA Cross Country Championships … posted a PR in the 800 with 2:31.28 at the 2021 Bobcat Invitational … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2020, 2021) … Nursing major.

Derick Hamilton (Men's Basketball)                                      Baton Rouge, La.
Post player who has provided instant offense off the bench for the Miners … connected on 68 percent of his shots in two seasons with UTEP … averaged nearly five points while playing only 7.2 mpg as a junior in 2023-24 … key sub who helped the Miners march into the finals of the CUSA Championships for the first time since 2011 by averaging 8.7 ppg in three tournament games … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Azizi Henry (Football)                                                             Wylie, Texas
Four-year member of the team who appeared in 11 games in 2023, including starting the final two contests of the season … the offensive line helped UTEP's rushing attack generate more than 159 yards per game while registering 12 rushing touchdowns … helped UTEP reach its first bowl game (2021 New Mexico Bowl) in seven years … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023) … Sociology major.

Greg Holmes (Men's Golf)                                                     Wigan, England
Posted a 73.0 scoring average during the 2023-24 season … helped the Miners advance to match play and defeat no. 1-seed LA Tech to reach the Match Play Finals at the Conference USA Championships … placed 10^th at the Championship … overall, competed in 42 career tournaments …  finished as the top Miner in six career tournaments … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2022) … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Kevin Hurley (Football)                                                          Walnut, Miss.
Has spent three seasons with the Miners thus far, starting his career as a quarterback before moving to wide receiver for the 2024 season … appeared in seven games in 2023, scoring three rushing touchdowns while throwing for two more … had a 54-yard bomb at FIU and finished the year with 196 total passing yards … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Veronika Lebisova (Tennis)                                                    Letovice, Czech Republic
Compiled 100 combined victories in her four seasons with UTEP … appointed team MVP in 2023 … led the squad in singles victories in 2022 … became the third student-athlete in Conference USA history to make the CUSA Women's Tennis All-Academic Team three times … 2023 CUSA Women's Tennis Scholar Athlete … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021, 2022, 2023) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Kinesiology major.

Kiante Liggins (Football)                                                        El Paso, Texas
Joined the Miners in 2020 … appeared in the game against Texas that year but did not record any stats … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022) … Criminal Justice major.

Katie Martin (Beach Volleyball)                                             Thornton, Colo.
A pivotal member of the UTEP beach volleyball team with 28 career victories ... began her collegiate journey at Boise State before joining the startup Miner beach program ... since donning the orange and blue, has carved out 17 victories, culminating in a stellar 15-9 senior season ... member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2023) … Civil Engineering major.

Cade McConnell (Football)                                                    Los Alamitos, Calif.
After redshirting his first year, worked his way up the depth chart and started the final six games of the 2023 season at quarterback … threw for 1,437 yards and six touchdowns, including 80-yard bombs at both FIU and Middle Tennessee … set a career high for passing yards with 364 against the Blue Raiders … connected on 11-17 passes for 262 yards and a pair of TDs in UTEP's win at FIU … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2023) … Communication Studies major.

Dresden McIver-Brown (Football)                                         Selma, Texas
Joined the Miners in 2020 and has appeared in four contests … also a part of the scout team defense … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2023) … Rehabilitation Science major.

Lexi Morales (Softball)                                                           El Paso, Texas
Career .301 hitter with 35 doubles and 57 RBI while starting 167 games for the Miners ... has compiled a .421 on-base percentage … named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team for three straight years and also a three-time Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete ... appointed to the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team ... recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021, 2022, 2023) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Forensic Science major.

Natalie Murillo (Women's Track & Field)                              El Paso, Texas
Competes in the shot put, hammer, discus and weight throw … recently hit personal bests in the discus with a 158' 9" toss, and the hammer with a 167' 1" throw … placed first in the discus at the 2023 New Mexico Spring Invitational … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Criminal Justice major.

Juan Olmos (Men's Cross Country)                                       El Paso, Texas
Named to the 2022 Conference USA All-Academic team … clocked in with a personal-best 24:28.8 in the 8k at the CUSA Championships … finished second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2022 Arizona Desert Heat Classic … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2022, 2023) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023) … Kinesiology major.

Tori Paul (Soccer)                                                                    Charlotte, N.C.
Maryland transfer who appeared in 15 contests with UTEP, including starting a pair in 2022 … registered nine shots, with four on target … played 605 total minutes … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Zid Powell (Men's Basketball)                                               Philadelphia, Pa.
Made a tremendous impact during his lone season with UTEP after transferring from Buffalo … led the team in rebounding (5.0 rpg) and assists (3.1 apg), while rating second in scoring (11.2 ppg) and steals (1.7 spg) … named to the CUSA All-Tournament team … voted MVP of the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational after leading UTEP to the crown, putting up 32 points in the title tilt … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Jacob Presutti (Men's Golf)                                                    Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Recorded a 73.7 scoring average during the 2023-24 season … helped the Miners advance to match play and defeat no. 1-seed LA Tech to reach the Match Play Finals at the Conference USA Championships … tied for 14^th at the Championship … competed in 44 career tournaments … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2020, 2021) … Finance major.

Aaliyah Rebolledo (Softball)                                                  Riverside, Calif.
Four-year letterwinner for the Miners, appearing in 83 games and making 15 starts ... two-time Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete ... recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Management major.

Nia Reneau (Women's Track & Field)                                    Austin, Texas
Competed in multiple events during her career … hit a personal best in the hammer throw with a 127' 6" toss at the 2023 Don Kirby Tailwind Open … leaped a personal-best 16' 1" in the long jump at the 2021 Bobcat Invitational … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021, 2022) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Biological Science major.

Jalen Rudolph (Football)                                                        Baton Rouge, La.
Played in 31 contests from 2020-23, including making a pair of starts on the defensive line … compiled 29 total tackles, with 13 solo and 16 assisted … had seven TFL for 29 yards … responsible for a safety against LA Tech in 2021 … posted a sack against UTSA in 2022 … helped UTEP appear in the 2021 New Mexico Bowl … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Mia Bella Ruiz (Beach Volleyball)                                          El Paso, Texas
Made her mark on the UTEP beach volleyball program in its inaugural season, showing her talent in eight matches ... began her career at Sul Ross State where she tallied 203 kills and 247 points as a member of the indoor volleyball team ... Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Anna Sample (Softball)                                                          Lexington, Okla.
Has added pop to the Miner lineup, blasting 12 home runs with 43 RBI in 241 at-bats over four seasons … has played in 120 games for UTEP, making 68 starts … hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning against Jax State earlier this season, sending the Miners to a dramatic 6-5 win … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2023) … Kinesiology major.

Sebastian Sandin (Men's Golf)                                              Dunblane, Scottland
Recorded a 74.8 scoring average during the 2023-24 season … helped the Miners advance to match play and beat no. 1-seed LA Tech to reach the Match Play Finals at the Conference USA Championships … finished tied for fifth at the 2024 Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational, carding a four-under par 212 … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Max Schliesing (Men's Golf)                                                  Zermatt, Switzerland
Topped the team with a 73.5 scoring average during the 2022-23 season … finished third at the 2023 Duck Invitational … placed fourth at the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational … tied for third at the White Sands Bahamas Invitational … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2023) … Marketing major.

Autumn Scott (Softball)                                                         El Paso, Texas
Career .301 hitter for the UTEP softball team, including .333 this season to rank second on the squad … has stolen 10 bases in her career, including six to lead the team in 2024 ... recognized as a three-time Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete ... recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021, 2022, 2023) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Biological Science major.

Calvin Solomon (Men's Basketball)                                       Houston, Texas
Started 45 of his 66 career appearances with UTEP after transferring from Stephen F. Austin … averaged 7.5 ppg and five rebounds with the Miners, moving past 1,000 career points … in 2022-23 joined Tim Hardaway and Randy Culpepper as the only Miners to average two or more steals per game … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2023) … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Adhel Tac (Women's Basketball)                                           Garland, Texas
In three years at UTEP, made 71 appearances with 46 starts …  an integral part of the lineup, racking up 418 points, 297 rebounds, 86 assists, 28 steals and 10 blocks … shot 49.4 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2023) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023) … Health Promotion major.

Tevita Tafuna (Football)                                                         East Palo Alto, Calif.
Played in 26 games thus far, including five starts, since joining the Miners in 2020 … recorded 34 tackles … helped UTEP earn a berth in the 2021 New Mexico bowl, its first postseason appearance since 2014 … set a career high with five tackles in the 2023 season opener at Jax State … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2022) … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Kenneth Talavera (Men's Track & Field)                                Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Captured a gold medal in the mile and took silver in the 800 at the 2023 CUSA Indoor Championships … picked up the gold in the 1,500 at the 2022 CUSA Outdoor Championships … ran a personal-best 3:45.16 and finished in first place in the 1,500 at the 2022 Bryan Clay Invitational … took gold in the 800 at the 2022 CUSA Indoor Championships … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2020) … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Cayman Tamez (Soccer)                                                         Carlsbad, Calif.
Started all 61 matches she appeared in and racked up over 5,400 minutes … has registered 16 shots, 11 on goal, and tallied two assists … as a freshman she earned a spot on the All-CUSA Third Team and All-Freshman Team … voted to 2023 CUSA All-Academic First Team and 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal (2021, 2023) … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Criminal Justice major.

Angelo Tejada (Football)                                                        San Antonio, Texas
Long snapper who has made 43 appearances with the Miners, including starting every contest in 2022 … became the first UTEP long snapper since 2011 to earn all-league awards, landing on the All-CUSA second team in 2022 … chipped in a pair of tackles on special teams … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023) … Kinesiology major.

Zhane Thompson (Women's Basketball)                               Burnsville, Minn.
Came to UTEP after two seasons at Seward County Community College, where her team went 40-15 …  after returning from injury, she appeared in seven games for the Miners this season … came off the bench at Liberty and put up nine points on 3-5 shooting from downtown … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2023) … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Daryon Triche (Football)                                                        Cedar Hill, Texas
Played in a pair of games with the Miners in 2023, his first year in the program … carried five times for 21 yards on "Senior Day" versus Liberty … also snagged two passes for 11 yards against the Flames …. Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Paris Watson (Women's Track & Field)                                 Corpus Christi, Texas
Competed in multiple meets in the discus and hammer throw during her career … tossed a personal-best 125' 2" in the hammer at the 2023 Don Kirby Tailwind Open … hit a personal best in the discus with a 126' 11" toss at the 2023 New Mexico Spring Invitational … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2023) … Kinesiology major.

Hande Yetis (Volleyball)                                                         Izmir, Turkey
Played in over 300 sets and amassed over 1,500 assists, nearly 100 aces and over 400 digs ... helped the Miners reach the NIVC semifinals in 2021 and achieve a runner-up finish in 2023 ... she was a part of two 20-win squads ... secured a spot on the 2022 CUSA All-Academic Team ... member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023) … Industrial & System Engineering major.

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