RICHARDSON, Texas – Six student-athletes from three different member universities headline the 2017 Fall American Southwest Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams, the league office announced on Wednesday,
 
The Distinguished Scholar-Athlete recipients include John Will of University of Texas at Dallas in men’s cross country, Lindsey Rayborn of UT Dallas in women’s cross country, Zane Boles of University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in football, Luke Lopez of UMHB in men’s soccer, Kenne Kessler of Hardin-Simmons University in women’s soccer and Sarah Paolini of UMHB in volleyball.
 
Overall, 68 student-athletes were named to the American Southwest Conference 2017 Fall Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams.
 
The Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams recognizes student-athletes who achieve a high level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the sports information directors from the 13 ASC member institutions and two affiliate members select a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in each sport.
 
John Will (Virginia Beach, Va.) is the first men’s cross country runner from UT Dallas to receive Distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. A three-time All-ASC recipient, the junior placed ninth at the 2017 ASC Championships with a time of 27:34. He recorded a personal-best 8K time of 27:00 at the NCAA Division III South/Southeast Regional, placing 91st. Will helped the Comets to their second straight second place finish at the ASC Championships.
 
Lindsey Rayborn (Pocatello, Idaho) is the fourth consecutive recipient in women’s cross country for UTD. The senior was a co-recipient of the award in 2016 and is just the second person to receive the award more than once in the sport. Rayborn was the ASC Individual Medalist for the second straight year with a meet record time of 22:37. A four-time All-ASC First Team selection, she placed ninth at the NCAA South/Southeast Regional with a personal best 6K mark of 21:55, earning All-Region honors and qualifying for the NCAA Division III National Championship Meet. Rayborn also helped the Comets claim the conference title for the second year in a row.
 
Zane Boles (Henderson, Texas) is the third student-athlete from UMHB to win the award in football. He is the only two-time ASC winner of the NCAA Elite 90 Award, which he received before the 2017 Stagg Bowl in December. Boles was a CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team selection and two-time ASC Academic Al-Conference pick. The senior averaged 38.6 yards per punt with 15 kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Boles also recorded 10 punts of 50 yards or more with a long of 71. His play helped the Cru win an ASC Championship and runner-up in NCAA Division III with a No. 2 national ranking.
 
Luke Lopez (Abilene, Texas) is the third Distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year from Mary Hardin-Baylor in men’s soccer. The senior was the top defender for the ASC Champion Cru and his play helped lead UMHB to the NCAA third round for the first time in program history. Lopez was a First Team All-ASC selection, helping the Cru post 10 shutouts and limiting opponents to a 0.66 goals against average. He was a team captain and for a team that finished No. 16 in the national rankings.
 
Kenne Kessler (Highland Village, Texas) is the sixth consecutive HSU student-athlete and eighth overall to win the award in women’s soccer. The junior was the CoSIDA Academic Al-America of the Year and a First Team All-American by D3soccer.com and the United Soccer Coaches. Kessler led the Cowgirls to the NCAA Championship Semifinals and a conference title by breaking the ASC record with 37 goals, the sixth-most in a single season in Division III history. She was the ASC Offensive Player of the Year as well.
 
Sarah Paolini (Kalispell, Mont.) is the fifth volleyball Distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year from UMHB. She was a CoSIDA Academic All-America and First Team Academic Al-District selection. The sophomore also earned All-ASC and First Team All-West Division honors. Paolini hit .373 with 269 kills on the season and led the Cru with 27 aces to go with 100 total blocks. She helped UMHB to a 28-5 record and a spot in the ASC Championship match.