ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Awards Announced

The ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Award is presented to one male and one female member of the graduating class who has compiled the most outstanding record in academics, athletics and leadership over their collegiate career.

5/24/2013 10:00:00 AM

RICHARDSON, Texas –– Two graduating student-athletes from each of the American Southwest Conference’s 14 institutions have been named as recipients of the 2012-13 ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Award, the ASC office announced on Friday (May 24).

The ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Award is presented to one male and one female member of the graduating class who has compiled the most outstanding record in academics, athletics and leadership over their collegiate career. The award is presented annually by the Faculty Athletics Representative at each conference member institution.

Recipients of the ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Award winners represent 15 different conference sports and include individuals who graduated with academic honors or hold admissions to graduate-level programs; are members of academic honor societies and campus organizations; competed on national, conference or division title teams; earned ASC All-Academic, Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, All-Conference or All-Division honors; and who served as volunteers, tutors and teachers within their campus, community and church groups.

School	Scholar-Athlete	Major(s)	Sport(s)	Hometown
Concordia Texas	Sebastian Parra	Business	Soccer	Austin, Texas
	Christina Smith	Biology	Softball	Mesa, Ariz.
East Texas Baptist	Collin Bieschke	Kinesiology	Football	Mount Pleasant, Texas
	Lya Swaner	Biology / Chemistry	Softball	St. Paul, Texas
Hardin-Simmons	Travis Sugar	Kinesiology	Football	Mount Pleasant, Texas
	Katie Kuykendall	Athletic Training	Soccer	Weatherford, Texas
Howard Payne	Houston Holmes	Exercise & Sports Science	Baseball	Brownwood, Texas
	Shannon Costello	Exercise & Sports Science	Soccer	Farmington Hills, Mich.
LeTourneau	Brenden Palmer	Mechanical Engineering	Cross County	Westerville, Ohio
	Nicole Leman	Kinesiology	Cross Country	Anchorage, Alaska.
Louisiana College	Phillip George	Health & Physical Education	Basketball / CC	Baton Rouge, La.
	Natosha Gottlieb	Athletic Training	Basketball	Alexandria, La.
Mary Hardin-Baylor	Spencer Turner	Communication	Golf	Brush Prairie, Wash.
	Morgan Baker	Pre-Physical Therapy	Volleyball	Richmond, Texas
Mississippi College	Pate Shackelford	Exercise Science	Baseball	North Carrollton, Miss.
	Bethany Roberson	Graphic Designer	Soccer	Collierville, Tenn.
Ozarks	Ian Bryan	Management / Admin.	Baseball/ CC	North Little Rock, Ark.
	Morgan O’Neil	Pol. Sci. / Env. Stud. / Eng.	Soccer	Carbondale, Ill.
Schreiner	Manny Longoria	Accounting	Basketball	El Dorado, Texas
	Kelley Spahn	Exercise Science	Tennis	Gonzalez, Texas
Sul Ross State	Geoffrey Schuette	Mathematics	Tennis	Grady, Texas
	Josette Delgado	Natural Resource Mgmt.	Volleyball	El Paso, Texas
Texas Dallas	Brian Bienhoff	Mechanical Engineering	Soccer	San Antonio, Texas
	Rachel Houston	Biomedical Science	Tennis	Plano, Texas
Texas-Tyler	Matt Sheppard	Marketing	Baseball	Humble, Texas
	Carli Wheeler	Psychology	Softball	Baton Rouge, La.
Texas Lutheran	David Schneider	Business Management	Tennis	San Antonio Texas
	Chelsea Johnson	Business / English	CC / T&F	Katy, Texas

ASC 2012-13 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE MEDAL OF HONOR AWARD RECIPIENTS BIOS
Biographical information provided by each student-athletes’ Faculty Athletics Representative or Sports Information Director.

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY TEXAS

Sebastian Parra
Major: Business
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Sebastian Parra carries a 3.41 cumulative grade point average and is the only men's soccer player in school history to be recognized with American Southwest Conference postseason accolades four times. The three-year captain made the ASC Fall Academic Honor Roll the last three years and ended his career as a member of the winningest class in school history as well as the record holder for matches played (67). Parra, who recorded seven points on two goals and a team-leading three assists as a senior in 2012, finished his career ranked sixth all-time in points (17) and second in assists (9). He was honorably mentioned for All-ASC laurels in 2009 and 2010 before making the All-ASC Third Team in 2011 and 2012.

Christina Smith
Major: Biology
Sport: Softball
Hometown: Mesa, Ariz.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Smith, who boasts a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average, was a Capital One Academic All-District First Team selection and was later named the school’s first Capital One Academic All-American in any sport. The transfer has been honorably mentioned for All-American Southwest Conference laurels twice as the team's starting center fielder the last two years. She finished the 2013 campaign a .358 batting average to go along with 35 runs scored and seven stolen bases, which were both team highs, as well as 43 hits, 21 walks and nine RBI. In addition, the senior is ranked ninth in career batting average (.316) and tied for sixth in walks (43). Off the field, Smith was named a 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete Team selection and has been heavily involved with other activities on campus and in the community. She has worked as a peer tutor and student assistant in the sports information department while also volunteering her time at multiple Special Olympics Texas events, including flag football and bowling. Furthermore, Smith was a team representative on the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has been honored as the Sports Information Student Assistant of the Year at the school’s annual athletics banquet.

EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

Collin Bieschke
Major: Kinesiology
Sport: Football
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Collin has been the scholar-athlete at ETBU maintaining a 3.16 cumulative GPA and a 3.42 in-major GPA while being an example on and off the field. An All-ASC selection in football while also winning the sportsmanship award, the four-year letterman has volunteered his time reading to local children and helping wherever he can in the football program. He finished his career at ETBU in the top 10 in tackles and also played in the Dream Bowl. Collin is a three-time ASC All-Academic award winner and has also been named to the Dean’s List with Honor’s on three occasions.

Lya Swaner
Majors: Biology / Chemistry
Sport: Softball
Hometown: St. Paul, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
The NCAA Division III student-athlete, Lya Swaner has done everything a student-athlete could do in four years. The 2013 ASC Tournament MVP has won two conference tournament championships, a divisional title, a NCAA West Regional, a national championship, and will play in three NCAA Tournaments. A member of both the All-ASC and NCAA West Region team, the double major in biology and chemistry carries a 3.85 GPA, is a CoSIDA Academic All-American, will graduate with honor’s, is a three-time ASC All-Academic selection, and on the Dean’s List. The ETBU SAAC president set up events with the East Texas Special Olympics this year and has been a member of SAAC for three-years. She has maintained a work-study job while being a four-year starter at catcher and volunteering her time with community service with the softball team and being a part of the ETBU honor’s program. She has earned several academic scholarships and also given two of ETBU’s highest awards in the M.L Dubach service award and the Top Tiger award.

HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY

Travis Sugar
Majors: Pre-Med / Biology
Sport: Football
Hometown: Leander, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Sugar was named an all-American on the field and was also an academic all-American in the classroom after posting a 3.90 GPA as a pre-med/biology major. He was a first-team all-ASC and third-team all-American by D3football.com. He was a three-time all-ASC selection, three-time academic all-ASC selection and a two-time team captain.

Katie Kuykendall
Major: Athletic Training
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Weatherford, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Kuykendall was named the HSU scholar medal of honor winner after posting a 3.61 GPA as an Athletic Training major. She was also the national offensive player of the year on the field and a three-time all-American. She was a three-time academic all-ASC selection and was a national scholar athlete three times by the NSCAA. She was also named an academic all-American by CoSIDA and was a three-time academic all-district selection by CoSIDA.

HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY

Houston Holmes
Major: Exercise and Sport Science
Sport: Baseball
Hometown: Brownwood, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Houston Holmes is an Exercise and Sport Science major with a 3.88 GPA and should be a repeat Academic All-Conference selection this season. In 2012, Houston was an Honorable Mention All-West Division selection at third base leading the team in doubles with 10. Last year, he was named HPU's Distinguished Scholar-Athlete for the highest GPA among male junior and senior student-athletes. He was also named to the ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete team for baseball in 2012. This semester, he received Howard Payne's award for Outstanding Exercise and Sports Science male student.

Shannon Costello
Major: Exercise and Sports Science
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Farmington Hills, Mich.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Shannon Costello is second all-time at HPU in Assists (18), Assists per game (.28), Shot Attempts (129) and Shots on Goal (72) and in Games Started. Shannon has been an Honorable Mention and 3rd Team All-Conference selection for the Howard Payne. From Farmington Hills, Michigan, she has been among the ASC leaders in assists the past two seasons and is a three-time Academic All-Conference honoree. She has also been named one of three Outstanding Lower Division Students in Chemistry at HPU boasting a 4.0 GPA. This semester, she received the award for highest GPA among HPU Exercise and Sport Science majors and was named the Outstanding Exercise and Sports Science female student.

LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY

Brenden Palmer
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Sport: Cross Country
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Brenden Palmer was a leader on the course and off the course as he led the Jacket men’s cross country team to a third place finish at the ASC Championships and their first appearance ever in the NCAA South/Southeast Regionals. Brenden was the team captain as well as keeping a cumulative GPA above 3.8 as he moves towards graduation.

Nicole Leman
Major: Kinesiology
Sport: Cross Country
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Nicole was the pinnacle of leadership as she is a key component in her community, church, and among the LeTourneau women’s cross country team. She became the second Jacket to ever compete in an NCAA event as she qualified for Nationals and was also the first Jacket to ever win the ASC Individual Championship. She has been nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year.

LOUISIANA COLLEGE
Phillip George
Major: Health and P.E.
Sports: Basketball / Cross Country
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
George has been a model of consistency both on and off the court at Louisiana College, finishing his career with 90 career games played, four varsity letters, and a three ASC Academic All-Conference selections. He finished his basketball career with over 400 career points and 150 career assists for legendary head coach Gene Rushing. George also excelled as a multi-sport athlete, competing for LC’s Cross Country team as a senior, where he instantly became one of the Wildcats top runners as well as an Academic All-Conference selection. The Baton Rouge native is set to graduate with honors in Health and Physical Education.

Natosha Gottlieb
Major: Athletic Training
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Alexandria, La.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Natosha Gottlieb finished her career in 2013 as one the most successful and honored players in Louisiana College and American Southwest Conference history. Gottlieb was named the 2013 ASC East Player of the Year, the ASC East Defensive Player of the Year, the D3hoops.com All-South Region Player of the Year, as well as an All-American by D3hoops.com and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. In 2013, the Bolton High School graduate became the first player in LC and ASC history to have at least 1,000 career points, 600 career rebounds, 250 career steals, 200 career assists, and 100 career blocks. She also became the first player in LC history to win 4 ASC Eastern Division Titles and make 4 NCAA tournaments and finished her career with a 44-1 career record at home in the H.O. West Fieldhouse. She also finished her career with 97 career wins, the most by one individual in school history. Gottlieb is multiple-time ASC Academic All-Conference selection and an honor student in LC’s Athletic Training program, which was named the 2012 ASC Athletic Training Staff of the Year.

UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR
Spencer Turner
Major: Communication
Sport: Golf
Hometown: Brush Prairie, Wash.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Spencer is a four-year letterman for the Cru men’s golf team and he fired a season-best 71 in the Schreiner Tournament. He posted an 80.8 stroke average this year. Spencer is a three-time ASC All-Academic selection and a four-year member of the UMHB Vice-President for Athletics Honor Roll. He serves as a UMHB Ambassador, hand-picked by the President to serve in that role and has also served in the following roles: Stunt Night Emcee for Miss MHB twice, SearchCru '10-'11, Senior Class Chaplain (Student Government Association), Easter Pageant disciple, Homecoming Court, Sigma Delta Pi (National collegiate Hispanic honors society) and Reaching Out community service days. Spencer will attend Baylor Law School beginning this fall and maintains a 4.00 GPA.

Morgan Baker
Major: Pre-Physical Therapy
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown: Richmond, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Morgan was a three-year letter winner for Cru volleyball and has played for a pair of ASC Tournament Qualifiers. She played for teams that set back-to-back school records for victories in a single-season and was voted CoSIDA Academic All-American honors this fall. Morgan was also a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District and ASC All-Academic pick. She was named ASC Volleyball Distinguished Scholar-Athlete this season. Off the court, Baker has encouraged teammates to participate in several local service opportunities, including cooking meals at the Ronald McDonald House and assisting at the Helping Hands food pantry in Belton. She has also served in the Student Ambassador program, the Mission Leadership Council, Search Cru, Image, the Random Acts of Kindness service group, the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Last year during her Christmas break Morgan took part on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, helping establish a summer camp for children there. She is also active in children's summer camps in the U.S. and through the volleyball team has implemented skills clinics for young players. She was awarded the Heavin Servant Leadership Award in the fall for her involvement in community service and also carries a 4.00 GPA.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

Pate Shackelford
Major: Exercise Science
Sport: Baseball
Hometown: North Carrollton, Miss.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Pate is a member of the ASC All Academic Team (2012, 2013) and the ASC Distinguished Scholar Athlete Team (2012, 2013). Pate Shackelford is actively involved in college ministries at the First Baptist Church –Jackson and currently working a college internship. Pate has coordinated “Shine” project work groups to help clean up the community, “The Big Give” program that delivers gifts to under privileged children and a Christmas Toy Drive. He is also serving as a team leader for a mission trip to Botswana over the summer of 2013. Pate has been a two sport athlete since transferring to Mississippi College after his freshmen year. After playing a year of men’s basketball, Pate has been a two year starter on the Baseball team. Pate is currently leading the team in stolen bases and he was responsible for hitting the game-winning three-run home run against Texas Lutheran to send the Choctaws to the ASC Championship Tournament at the end of the 2012 season. Pate is a 2013 team captain, the Baseball Outstanding Senior Athlete and has been nominated by his coach for the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year.

Bethany Roberson
Major: Graphic Design
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Collierville, Tenn.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Bethany is a four year member of the Mississippi College President’s and Dean’s List, the ASC All Academic Team, ASC Distinguished Scholar Athlete Team, the Mississippi College Alpha Chi Scholar Athlete of the Year, the David M. Halbrook Award Recipient, and the MC Communications Department “Researcher of the Year”. Bethany has been actively involved on campus as an MC Scout, AIGA Vice President, MC Alpha Chi Treasurer, Swannanoa Social Tribe Officer, as well as being a member of Kappa Pi , Omicron Delta Kappa , MC Republicans Club, Alpha Mu Gamma, Alpha Lambda Delta and the Earth Aware Club. As a graphic design major she is also published in the Smorgasbord Cookbook for her cover design, MC Arrowhead, and the Children’s Book for her illustrations. Bethany is also involved in the FCA’s leadership committee and has volunteered with different apartment ministries, Disciple Now, MARL, and at the animal hospital. Bethany has also taken mission trips to Iceland, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Bethany has been a three year starter, 2012 team captain, ASC Defensive Player of the Week recipient in 2010 and 2012, ASC All Conference, and the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year for Women’s Soccer.

UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS

Ian Bryan
Major: Management / Administration
Sports: Baseball / Cross Country
Hometown: North Little Rock, Ark.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Ian Bryan has served as the campus SAAC President the last two years and was one of a handful of selected student-athletes to attend the entire NCAA convention in January. During his tenure as SAAC President, Bryan has been a strong advocate of the Special Olympics. He has participated in two state-wide Special Olympic events and one national event. Bryan’s experience with NCAA events began in 2011 when he attended the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Chicago. A dual-sport athlete, Bryan has been a member of the ASC All-Academic Team for both baseball and cross country. But it was in baseball where he has made the biggest impact, setting the single-season school record for lowest ERA. He earned All-Conference baseball honors in 2012 and is a nominee for the Capital One Academic All-District 2013 Team. He recently earned the university’s Kiwanis Outstanding Student award for his service, leadership and scholarship. He has been on the Dean’s List and will graduate with Magna Cum Laude honors.

Morgan O’Neil
Majors: Political Science / Environmental Studies / English
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: Carbondale, Ill.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Morgan O’Neil’s desire to lead and serve is evident in the number of campus organizations she has been involved with during her four years at Ozarks. Her current role as the student body President consumes a considerably amount of time, but that hasn’t stopped her from also being involved in the Student Foundation Board, the Bench and Bar organization, the Residence Hall Association, Oxfam and serving as soccer team captain. Additionally, she was the student representative on the campus presidential search committee. She has also volunteered as a youth coach for the Tri-Country Soccer Organization the past three years. Prior to her senior year, she completed an internship in Washington DC for an Environmental Agency. A four-year starter, she made an impact on the school record books having set a single season record for most saves. Academically, she has been on the President’s List (4.0 gpa) and will graduate with Summa Cum Laude honors. She is a three-time member of the ASC All-Academic Team and helped the team earn the NSCAA Academic Team Award twice. She will join the Peace Corps following graduation and then attend Law School.

SCHREINER UNIVERSITY

Manny Longoria
Major: Accounting
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: El Dorado, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Academic career at Schreiner University: 2009-2013; Vice-President of Accounting Club (2012-2013); Sigma Beta Delta (2012-2013); Dean's list 7 out of8 semesters (2009-2013); Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award (2013); Outstanding Accountant Student of the Year Award (2013); Athletic career at Schreiner University: 2009- 2013; Varsity Men's Basketball Team (2009-2013); Most Improved Player Award (2009-2010: voted by coaches); Coach Todd Award (2010-2011: voted by coaches); ASC Academic All-Conference (2011-2012); Volunteer/Leadership during time at Schreiner University: 2009-2013
Mentors of Kerr County Schools (Tally Elementary: 2009-2013); MLK Day .Project.(sponsored by Campus Ministry and Student Volunteer Center, Fall 2010); Community Service Infusion (sponsored by Partners in Ministry, Spring/2011); Volunteered at Life point Church in Center Point (Fall, 2011) helped wrap Christmas gifts for families; Accounting Club volunteered to paint a shed for an elderly woman (Fall2010); Men's Basketball helped local family in Kerrville move furniture in and out of new home (Spring 2010).

Kelley Spahn
Major: Exercise Science
Sport: Tennis
Hometown: Gonzales, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Freshman Year: Fall 2009-President's List; Spring 2010-President's List; Sophomore year: Fall. 2010-Dean's List, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society; Spring 2011-President's List, ASC Player of the Week. 2011 Junior Year: Fall 2011-Dean's List, Spring 2012-President's List, Academic AII-ASC. 2012, SAAC Representative, Captain; Senior Year: Fall 2012-President's List, Spring 2013 SAAC Representative Captain Fall 2012 Who's Who Among Student Athletes In American Universities and Colleges Recipient 2012 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.

SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY

Geoffrey Schuette
Major: Mathematics
Sport: Tennis
Hometown: Grady, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
In addition to a 3.525 GPA and his contribution to the Sul Ross tennis team, Mr. Schuette was the outstanding senior in Mathematics, has been active in mathematical research including a presentation at the Mathematical Association of America Texas Section’s 93rd annual meeting, held April 11-13 at Texas Tech University and was on the Spring Semester's Dean's List.

Josette Delgado
Major: Natural Resource Management
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
In addition to maintaining a 3.918 GPA and contributing to the volleyball team, Miss Delgado has been a member of the Society of Conservation Biology, on the Who's Who Committee, the student service fee committee member, the student government association, the McNair Program, Project Wild, the Committee for the hiring of a GPC coordinator, and has also volunteered her time generously with the Alpine Humane Society and West Texas Wildfires.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

Brian Bienhoff
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Sport: Soccer
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Brian Bienhoff moved into a starting job in his first year with the Comets and never relinquished that role throughout his four seasons with the program. He earned All-ASC honors each of his four years with the team, including first team recognition as a senior. Bienhoff was named the ASC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, helping guide the program back to the ASC title match for the first time in four seasons. He served as a team captain this past fall and was a vice captain as a junior. Each of the past two seasons, Bienhoff was also named Academic All-ASC. As a senior, he was honored with the program’s Comet Award, given yearly to the player that was the “Most Inspiring” during the season. He missed the first four games of the season due to injury and sparked the Comets to a seven-game winning streak upon his return (team was 1-3 without him.) Bienhoff was a two-year member of the UTD SAAC and was a member of both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society.

Rachel Houston
Major: Biomedical Science
Sport: Tennis
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Rachel Houston became a starter for the UTD women’s tennis upon her arrival on campus and left the program as the squad’s all-time leader in singles victories. A second team All-ASC East pick her sophomore and junior seasons, Houston was named the ASC East Most Valuable Player as a senior after leading the Comets to their first-ever ASC championship and berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. In addition, Houston was named first team All-ASC in singles and doubles as a senior. A team captain through her career, Houston was tabbed the ASC’s Distinguished Scholar-Athlete for women’s tennis as a junior during the 2011-12 academic year. She was also named Academic All-District by CoSIDA as a junior. With Houston on the court, the Comets advanced to ASC Tournament each of past three seasons, including the program’s only two trips to conference title match.

TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

David Schneider
Major: Business Management
Sport: Tennis
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
David Schneider has captained the Texas Lutheran Men's Tennis Team for two seasons. He played in the team's top six in singles and top three in doubles in each of his four years on the team. This year, David led TLU to an undefeated season in the ASC West Division before it was discovered that TLU mistakenly used an academically ineligible player. David and his teammates handled this shocking development with grace and class and further cemented their TLU legacies as the senior class that turned the school's tennis fortunes for the best. David is a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference selection and a 2011-12 ITA Scholar-Athlete. He currently holds a cumulative GPA of 3.641.

Chelsea Johnson
Major: Business / English
Sports: Cross Country / Track and Field
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
A three-year letter-winner for the TLU women's cross country team and a four-year letter-winner in track and field, Chelsea Johnson graduated from TLU in December with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.529. Before she graduated in December, she was a First Team All-ASC performer on TLU's 2012 ASC Co-Championship Women's Cross Country squad. Johnson was sixth overall at the conference championships. Johnson also was a key performer on three ASC Championships in women's track and field. She won a conference title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a school-record time in 2012.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER

Matt Sheppard
Major: Marketing
Sport: Baseball
Hometown: Humble, Texas
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Beta Gamma Sigma (National Business Honor Society); Phi Kappa Phi (National all-discipline Honor Society); Chi Alpha Sigma (scholar-athlete Honor Society); President’s Honor Roll at UT Tyler (Spring 2012, Fall 2012); Recipient of President’s academic scholarship at UT Tyler; Magna Cum Laude Associates degree GPA: 3.95 (Tyler Junior College); Recipient of President’s academic scholarship at TJC; President’s list at TJC (Fall/Spring 2009 & 2010); Academic All-Conference (ASC 2012); Played in the Texas Collegiate Summer League (2011); Region XIV Athletic Conference All-Academic Baseball Team (2010); NJCAA Exemplary Academic Achievement in Baseball (2010-2011); Junior College All-Star Game at Baylor University (2010); NJCAA Division 3 Pitcher of the Week (March 2011); Salvation Army holiday “bell ringer” (December 2011 & 2012); City of Tyler Kid’s Day volunteer (2011 & 2012); East Texas Food Bank volunteer (2012); “Strike outs for cancer” (2011); Walk for cystic fibrosis volunteer (2010); “Elves and More” bicycle program for children (2010); East Texas Food Bank volunteer (2009-2010).

Carli Wheeler
Major: Psychology
Sport: Softball
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Summary of Collegiate Academic, Leadership, Athletic Accomplishments:
Academic All ASC (2011, 2012); UT Tyler's Dean's List (2011, 2012); NFCA All American Scholar (2011-12); Louisiana College Dean's List (2010); Batting Average .255 (5 homeruns) 2011ASC All East Division 2nd Team (2010); • NCAA Student Athlete Leadership Forum (2012); UT Tyler - Turkey Shoot; UT Tyler – Tyler Food Bank; UT Tyler - Kids play at the park.

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