Thirty-Four UTEP Student-Athletes Slated to Graduate on Saturday

5/12/2026 2:43:00 PM

EL PASO, Texas – Thirty-four past and present UTEP student-athletes will graduate from the University on Saturday.

The list includes 11 representatives from the football program, five from track and field (three men's/two women's), four from softball, four from indoor volleyball, three from women's basketball, three from men's golf, two from beach volleyball and two from soccer.

Of the 34 graduates, 24 have earned placement on the CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA) during their careers, and eight have been recipients of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Medals (minimum 3.75 GPA).

Bios follow on UTEP's May 2026 graduating student-athletes.

May 2026 UTEP Graduating Student-Athletes

Paulina Acuna                                                                     Beach Volleyball                           El Paso, Texas
Member of the UTEP Beach program from its inception in 2023 ... recorded 39 career victories, including 28 wins on Court 1 ... appeared in more than 90 matches while primarily playing on the top three courts ... member of the 2026 Conference USA All-Academic Team ... four-time recipient of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Medal … four-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Sebastian Avena                                             Track & Field
Has competed in 22 career meets … took gold in the distance medley relay at the 2025 CUSA Indoor Championships … clocked in with a personal-best 47.40 seconds in the 400 at the 2025 Sun City Classic … turned in a PR of 21.33 seconds in the 200 at the 2026 Bobcat Invitational … two-time recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal … two-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Biomedical Science major.

Solo Barnes                                                          Football                                                  New Orleans, La.
Started all 12 games at the safety position in 2025 … ranked third on the team with 66 tackles … added 2.5 tackles for losses, a sack, four breakups, a hurry, fumble recovery, forced fumble and team-high two interceptions … recorded a season-high eight tackles at seventh-ranked Texas … picked off passes against Jax State and NM State … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Aaliyah Davis                                                                        Women's Basketball                                   El Paso, Texas
One-time letterwinner for her hometown Miners … appeared in 22 games with two starts … tallied 25 points and 23 rebounds … two-time member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Sophia Dean                                                        Soccer                                                                       Spring, Texas
Appeared in a pair of contests at goalkeeper in 2025, starting both matches … delivered a stirring performance with nine saves to lead UTEP to a 1-1 tie at WKU … also earned the starting nod at Middle Tennessee … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal … member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Psychology major.

Judah Ezinwa                                                                        Football                                                  Fontana, Calif.
Has played in 10 career games, making five starts … started five of the first six games in 2025 … hauled in four receptions for 76 yards … reeled in a career-long reception of 33 yards at seventh-ranked Texas … posted a 31-yard grab against ULM … recorded a season-high two catches for 12 yards versus Liberty … three-time member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Communication Studies major.

Mattie Gantt                                                        Volleyball                                             Aledo, Texas
Played in 117 matches and 406 sets during her career ... finished with 1,957 career assists, 129 service aces and 566 digs ... earned Conference USA All-Freshman honors in 2022 ... eight-time CUSA Co-Setter of the Week ... helped guide the Miners to an NIVC runner-up finish, back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, and the program's first-ever CUSA regular season championship ... three-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Kinesiology major.

Trey Goodman                                                   Football                                                  Atlanta, Ga.
Made 11 starts in 12 games during the 2024 season … tied for the team lead with 47 receptions for 469 yards … hauled in a career-best 12 receptions for 150 yards in a victory over Kennesaw State … hauled in six passes for 54 yards at Liberty … recorded 44 yards on four receptions in a come-from-behind win at rival NM State … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Cole Gustafson                                                Football                                                  Rocklin, Calif.
Played in all 12 games in 2025, making two starts on the defensive line … tallied 18 tackles with 2.5 tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks, two hurries and two breakups … registered a season-high four tackles with a sack against LA Tech … recorded three tackles and half a sack in a win over UT Martin … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Matthew Guerra                                               Track & Field                                      El Paso, Texas
Has competed in 10 meets … turned in personal bests in the 8K at the 2025 CUSA Cross Country Championships and the 10K at the 2026 NCAA Mountain Region Championships … clocked in a personal-best 16:22.14 with a third-place finish in the 5,000 at the 2026 Sun City Classic … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Biomedical Science major.

Ashaad Hall                                                         Football                                                  St. Petersburg, Fla.
Played in 11 games, making six starts on the defensive line in 2025 … recorded 24 tackles with 4.0 tackles for losses, three sacks, a breakup and team-high eight hurries … tallied a season-high four tackles with two hurries against ULM … recorded a season-best two sacks at Utah State … recorded three tackles and a hurry at seventh-ranked Texas … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Halle Hogan                                                         Softball                                                   Buckeye, Ariz.
Began her collegiate career at South Mountain Community College, where she was a second team NJCAA All-American ... started over 130 games at UTEP, posting a .290 batting average with 22 doubles, 17 home runs and 63 RBI ... holds the program record for most hits in a single game with five ... also earned NFCA Scholar-Athlete recognition ... three-time recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal … three-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Kinesiology major.

Kaila Hudson                                                                        Soccer                                                                       Houston, Texas
Team captain and a four-year starter on the back line … has started 45 of 51 games played, logging nearly 3,500 minutes of action … helped UTEP yield the second-fewest goals and post the fourth-best goals against average in program history in 2024 … was involved offensively as well with two assists and 15 shots … three-time member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major.

Joseph Immediato                                        Football                                                  El Paso, Texas
Started all 12 games in 2025 – eight at right guard and four at right tackle … part of an offensive line that paved the way for UTEP rushers to gain over 1,300 yards with 14 touchdowns … the Miners rushed for 194 yards, including a program-record 94-yard touchdown in a win over UT Martin … the Miners gained 175 yards with three rushing TD's and one sack allowed in a win at Sam Houston … Digital Media Production major.

Paige Lassiter                                                                       Softball                                                   Tampa, Fla.
Transferred to UTEP in 2025 and has played in over 70 games as a Miner … holds a .313 career batting average and the UTEP record with four pinch hit home runs ... one of two players in school history with a pinch-hit grand slam, which she hit against arch-rival NM State ... two-time member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Sirviva Legions                                                  Women's Basketball                                   Brooklyn, N.Y.
One-time letterwinner … appeared in 21 games with 19 starts for the Miners … averaged 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game … posted two double-doubles, including a 15-point, career-high 12 rebound performance against FIU … delivered a season-best 17 points against Denver … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Ryan Lewis                                                            Men's Golf                                           El Paso, Texas
Has played in five tournaments during his career … shot a career-low 70 in rounds one and three and finished tied for ninth at even par at the Les Fowler Invitational this season … competed in four events during the 2022-23 campaign … shot a season-low 72 in the third round at the John A. Burns Intercollegiate … Management major.

Torrance Lovesee                                           Volleyball                                             Leon, Kan.
Appeared in 125 matches and 452 sets during her UTEP career ... became the 14th Miner to surpass 1,000 career kills ... racked up 1,235 kills, the fifth-highest total in school history, and 145 aces, second-most in school annals ... first team All-Conference USA in 2025 ... two-time second team All-League ... member of the CUSA All-Academic Team and a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection ... helped lead UTEP to three postseason appearances, including an NIVC runner-up finish, back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids, and the program's first-ever CUSA regular season championship ... four-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Biological Science major.

Elijah Munoz                                                        Track & Field                                      El Paso, Texas
Has competed in eight javelin events … recorded a personal-best throw of 57.55 meters (188-10) with a third-place showing at the 2026 Miners Invitational … finished third in the javelin at the 2026 Sun City Classic … took fourth at the 2025 Sun City Classic … member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Kinesiology major.

Iliana Munoz                                                        Softball                                                   Laveen, Ariz.
Spent two seasons at South Mountain Community College before coming to UTEP ... played in 93 games for the Miners with 85 starts … batted .299 with 18 doubles, nine homers and 42 RBI ... tied the program record for career fielding percentage ... Academic All-District honoree and NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete ... two-time recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal … two-time member of the CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Aylani Ottley                                                       Softball                                                   El Paso, Texas
Began her collegiate career at Southern University, where she played in 128 games with 116 starts over four seasons … named Female Athlete of the Year in 2024 while serving as team captain in both 2024 and 2025 ... joined the Miners in 2026 and, despite battling injury, continued to make an impact while earning a Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal … also member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … earning her Leadership Studies certificate as a graduate student.

Krista Paegle                                                       Beach Volleyball                           Riga, Latvia
Member of the UTEP Beach program from its inception in 2023 ... totaled 39 career victories, including 24 wins on Court 1 ... competed primarily on the top three courts throughout her career while appearing in more than 100 matches ... during the 2026 season, Paegle and partner Averie Threet earned Conference USA Pair of the Week honors, the first such award in program history ... the duo posted a perfect 4-0 record at the Arizona Invitational, highlighted by a straight-set victory that secured UTEP's lone point against nationally ranked Arizona ... four-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Marketing major.

Abby Priscilla                                                                       Women's Basketball                                   Kampala, Uganda
Joined the Miners after two seasons at Grayson College … made a strong return from injury, making the most of limited minutes … recorded season-highs of three points and six rebounds in just four minutes of action against the University of the Southwest … two-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Sara Pustahija                                                                     Volleyball                                             Belgrade, Serbia
Competed in over 100 matches during her UTEP career ... recorded 817 career kills and 108 service aces ... set the UTEP single-season record for service aces with 55 during her freshman campaign ... earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors once and was a four-time CUSA Freshman of the Week selection ... garnered first team All-CUSA honors in 2025 ... two-time CSC Academic All-District selection ... helped UTEP reach historic milestones, including an NIVC runner-up finish, consecutive NCAA Tournament bids, and the program's first CUSA regular season championship ...  recipient of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Medal … three-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Economics major.

Joshua Rudolph                                               Football                                                  Montgomery, Ala.
Started first three games in 2025 … tallied 18 tackles with a tackle for loss, half sack and a fumble recovery … opened the season with eight tackles, a tackle for loss and a half sack at Utah State … recorded eight tackles in a win over UT Martin … posted two tackles at seventh-ranked Texas … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Lantz Russell                                                                        Football                                                  Riverside, Calif.
Played in 28 games, making seven starts at the safety position … played in all 12 games with one start in 2025 … racked up 85 career tackles with 5.5 tackles for losses, three sacks, two interceptions and seven pass breakups during his career … tallied a career-most 54 tackles and two picks in 2024 … added 28 tackles with a sack in 2025 … Kinesiology major.

Braden Smith                                                                       Men's Golf                                           Lago Vista, Texas
Played in 33 tournaments during his career … penciled in a 73.7 scoring average … helped the Miners reach three consecutive CUSA match play finals … saw action in all 12 tournaments this past season … forged a 72.8 scoring average … shot a season-best 66 in round two at the Whirlwind Invitational, while shooting an eight-under par and finishing tied for 11^th place … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Taylor Starkey                                                                      Track & Field                                      Queen Creek, Ariz.
Competed in 12 pole vault events during her collegiate career … recorded a PR of 4.28 meters (14-0.5) at the 2024 PAC-12 Track & Field Championships while competing at Arizona State … finished first at the 2024 Tyson Invitational … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Addison Stricklin                                            Track & Field                                      Lancaster, Texas
Has competed in 26 meets during her career … part of gold-medal winning 4x100 relay team that clocked in with a time of 44.07 seconds at the 2025 CUSA Outdoor Championships … notched a personal-best time of 11.53 seconds in the 100 at the 2026 Pacific Coast Invitational … part of first-place 4x100 team at the 2026 Bobcat Invitational … turned in a PR of 23.80 seconds in the 200 at the 2026 Miners Invitational … two-time member of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Kinesiology major.

Trevon Tate                                                            Football                                                  Erie, Pa.
Played in 11 games, making two starts at wide receiver in 2025 … tallied 235 yards on 22 receptions with a touchdown … posted season-highs with seven receptions for 133 yards and added a 73-yard touchdown against ULM … snared six passes for 64 yards, including a 43-yard catch at seventh-ranked Texas … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

Jaquan Toney                                                                        Football                                                  Huntsville, Ala.
Played in 19 games, making eight starts on the offensive line during his career … played in nine games with three starts in 2025 … part of an offensive line that paved the way for UTEP rushers to gain over 1,300 yards with 14 touchdowns … the Miners rushed for 194 yards, including a program-record 94-yard touchdown, in a win over UT Martin … UTEP gained 175 yards with three TDs rushing and one sack allowed in a win at Sam Houston … General Business major.

Kevin Watts                                                          Men's Golf                                           Colleyville, Texas
Has played in two tournaments during his career … saw action at the Les Fowler Invitational this season, shooting a one-over par 217 and tying for 11^th place … penciled in a season-low 67 in round three … recipient of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal … member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Master of Business Administration.

Kaya Weaver                                                       Volleyball                                             Galt, Calif.
Competed in 111 matches and 388 sets during her UTEP career ... totaled 789 career kills and finished as the program's all-time leader in hitting percentage at .402 ... led the team in solo blocks, block assists, and total blocks in back-to-back seasons ... ranks top-five in school history in blocks ... two-time first team All-CUSA honors along with second team accolades in 2025 ... named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team ... 2024 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year ... first team AVCA Southwest All-Region, and honorable mention All-America by the AVCA and VolleyballMag ... helped UTEP to an NIVC runner-up finish, back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and the program's first CUSA regular season championship ... two-time member of CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll … Kinesiology major.

Eric Willis III                                                        Football                                                  Collingdale, Pa.
Played in 11 games, making seven starts at the wide receiver position … recorded 284 yards on 26 receptions with two touchdowns … returned two kickoffs for 45 yards (22.5 average) and led the team in punt returns (14) and punt return yards (88) … season-best five receptions 45 yards at Missouri State … hauled in touchdowns against Jax State and at Delaware … Multidisciplinary Studies major.

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