UTEP Miners

CUSA Announces UTEP Cross Country’s Salma Licon as a 2025-26 Scholar-Athlete of the Year

6/25/2026 11:00:00 AM

DALLAS – UTEP cross country's Salma Licon was one of 17 student-athletes to earn the prestigious 2025-26 Conference USA Scholar-Athletes of the Year as announced by league officials on Thursday.

The awards, voted on by the conference's 12 FARs, are presented to the top student-athletes in each conference-sponsored sport based on academic achievement (GPA), athletic achievement and service.

The junior has fashioned a perfect 4.0 GPA in Art. Licon is a three-time member of the CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll and a three-time CUSA Commissioner's Academic Medalist. She was also part of the USTFCCCA All-Academic list in 2024.

"We are incredibly proud of Salma for being named the Conference USA Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year," UTEP head coach Francesca Green said. "This award reflects everything we value in our program—commitment to excellence in the classroom, dedication to athletic development, and a willingness to positively impact those around her. Salma has been a tremendous representative of UTEP through her work ethic, character, and consistency, and this recognition is a testament to the effort she puts into every aspect of being a student-athlete. We are excited to see her continue to grow and represent the Miners at a high level."

The native of El Paso and a graduate of Eastwood High School competed in six meets during the 2025 season. She posted a personal-best time of 22:10.4 in the 6k at the CUSA XC Championships. Licon also competed at the NCAA Division I Mountain Region Cross Country Championships in November to conclude the campaign. Licon opened her third season with a PR 19:26.7 in the 5k at the Lori Fitzgerald Open in Las Cruces. Licon wrapped up the athletic season by clocking personal bests in the 1500 (4:47.21) and 5000 (18:40.09) at the 2026 CUSA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in May.

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