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ASC Announces Winter/Spring Distinguished Scholar Athletes
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RICHARDSON, Texas –– Texas-Dallas’ Kyle Schleigh, Louisiana College’s Natosha Gottlieb, Texas Lutheran’s Sean Kistler and Ashley Meadows, Concordia Texas’ Jack Cersosimo and Kayla Burch, East Texas Baptist’s Lya Swaner, Ozarks’ Todd Turner, Mary Hardin-Baylor’s AshLee Bilbo, and Texas-Tyler’s Jake Waddingham have all earned the title of Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in their respective American Southwest Conference 2012-13 winter/spring sport, the league office announced on Wednesday (May 29).
 
Overall, 106 student-athletes from basketball, baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field were named to the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams.
 
The honor, in its sixth academic year, recognizes student-athletes that achieve a higher 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 conference’s 14 member institutions vote on a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete from each sport.
 
Schleigh (Houston, Texas / Kingwood HS), a junior basketball player who is majoring in accounting with a 3.48 GPA, picked up All-ASC honors for second straight season. He was named ASC East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year after leading Texas-Dallas to a fifth straight East Division title. Schleigh was a seven-time ASC East Player of the Week during the season. He led the conference in scoring at 21.4 points per game. He became the first junior ever at UTD to top 1,000 career points. He was named to ASC All-Tournament Team. Schleigh is a two-time Academic All-ASC selection.
 
Gottlieb (Alexandria, La. / Bolton HS), a senior basketball player who is majoring in athletic training with a 3.53 GPA, was named the ASC East Player of the Year; ASC East Defensive Player of the Year; 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. Gottlieb became the first player in ASC history to have at least 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 250 steals, 200 assists, and 100 blocks in a career. She also became the first player in LC history to win four ASC Eastern Division titles and make 4 NCAA Division II tournaments. Gottlieb is an honor student in LC’s Athletic Training program, which was named the 2012 ASC Athletic Training Staff of the Year.
 
Kistler (Conroe, Texas / CHS), a senior baseball player who is majoring in kinesiology with a 3.55 GPA, set the ASC records for career saves (22) and did not allow a run (earned or unearned) in 2013. Texas Lutheran’s Co-Male Student-Athlete of the Year did not allow a run in the final 39 innings of his career. His scoreless inning streak dated back to April 6, 2012. This season, the right-hander recorded 14 saves and 33 strikeouts and allowed just 14 hits. Kistler and the Bulldogs played in the NCAA Division III West Regional and won an ASC West Division crown. He was named to the ASC West First Team.
 
Cersosimo (Austin, Texas / Lanier HS), a sophomore golfer who is majoring in biology with a 3.60 GPA, is the only men’s golfer from the ASC to make the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District At-Large Team. Cersosimo is also the only men’s golfer in Concordia Texas history to be named to the All-ASC  First Team twice in a career. He holds program records for the lowest two and three-round tournament scores. Cersosimo was among CTX student-athletes that volunteered at the Special Olympics Texas Area 13 flag football competition in December
 
Burch (Magnolia, Texas / MHS), a senior golfer who is majoring in accounting with a perfect 4.0 GPA, is the only women’s golfer from the ASC to make the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District At-Large Team. Burch has made the National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Team twice. She has been Concordia Texas’ team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for 2 1/2 years. Burch was among CTX student-athletes that volunteered at the Special Olympics Texas Area 13 flag football competition in December. She is the only women's golfer in school history to win an individual tournament title.
 
Swaner (St. Paul, Texas / Wylie HS), a senior softball player and national champion who is majoring in chemistry and biology with a 3.85 GPA, was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-American third-team. Swaner earned East Texas Baptist’s Top Tiger award as the top female student-athlete. She led the Tigers to the ASC championship this spring and was named tournament MVP. She is a three-time Academic All-ASC selection and has appeared on the Dean’s List since her freshman year. She won the M.L. Dubach Scholarship at ETBU for grades, service and athletic play. Swaner is ETBU’s SAAC president and helped bring East Texas Special Olympics to campus for an event.
 
Turner (Pearcy, Ark. / Lake Hamilton HS), a sophomore tennis player who is majoring in biology with a perfect 4.0 GPA, posted a program-best 14-2 doubles record and also owned a 12-4 record at No. 1 singles. His 12 wins ranked second at No. 1 singles in the ASC at the end of the regular season. An Honorable Mention All-Conference player in singles and doubles, Turner was named ASC Player of the Week once. Additionally, Turner fueled Ozarks to a program-best 12-4 overall record and the team received the program’s first ever regional ranking.
 
Bilbo (College Station, Texas / Bryan HS), a junior tennis player who is majoring in organismal biology with a perfect 4.0 GPA, was a two-time ASC All-West Division First Team selection this spring. She earned First Team All-Division honors at No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles. Bilbo posted a 9-0 doubles record and led the Lady Cru to a ASC West Division title. She has earned a total of five All-West Division honors in her career and is a two-time ASC All-Academic pick.
 
Waddingham (Macksburg, Iowa / Orient-Macksburg HS), a senior track and field athlete who is majoring in political science and journalism with a 3.86 GPA, was named the 2013 Texas- Tyler Student Athlete of the Year. Waddingham also was the photographer for all athletic events and a member of the 2013 ASC track and field championship team.
 
Meadows (Marion, Texas / Home School), a junior track and field athlete who is majoring in biology and chemistry with a perfect 4.0 GPA, was a letter-winner and key team member on two ASC Championship squads in 2012-13. She was also Academic All-ASC in 2011-12 and two straight years in cross country. Meadows has been active in community service, with TLU’s Day of the Dogs, Hot DAWGS and the serving of Thanksgiving dinner to Seguin shut-ins. She has been the Vice President of FCA, Pi Rho Chemistry Club, and Biology Honors Society.
 
Burch was voted as ASC Women’s Golf Distinguished Scholar-Athlete for the second straight season. All honorees were also named to the 2012-13 ASC Winter/Spring All-Academic Teams.

ASC 2012-14 WINTER/SPRING DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR-ATHLETE TEAMS
(+Sport’s Distinguished Scholar-Athlete)
 
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Kyle Schleigh Texas-Dallas Jr. Accounting Houston, Texas
Brett DeMetrotion Concordia Texas So. Computer Science Allen, Texas
Erby Thompson East Texas Baptist So. Mathematics Pitkin, La.
Andy Spears Hardin-Simmons Sr. Math Abilene, Texas
Jorden Young Howard Payne So. Social Studies Ponder, Texas
Phillip George Louisiana College Sr. Health and P.E. Baton Rouge, La.
Cory Meals Mary Hardin-Baylor Sr. Finance Whitesboro, Texas
Marcus Bobb Ozarks Sr. Marketing / Spanish Ponder, Texas
Manny Longoria Schreiner Sr. Accounting El Paso, Texas
Juston Weldon Sul Ross State Sr. History Wimberley, Texas
Dallas Bean Texas-Tyler Sr. Kinesiology Port Arthur, Texas
Joseph Richardson Texas Lutheran So. Kinesiology San Antonio, Texas
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Natosha Gottlieb Louisiana College Sr. Athletic Training Alexandria, La.
Brianna Smith Concordia Texas Sr. Business Carrollton, Texas
Amanda Rucker East Texas Baptist So. Kinesiology Grand Saline, Texas
Rachel Holik Hardin-Simmons So. Exercise Science Wall, Texas
Kayla Scott Howard Payne Gr. MBA Azle, Texas
Julencia Curtis LeTourneau Jr. Biology Deltona, Fla.
Samara Williams Mary Hardin-Baylor So. Computer Info. Systems San Antonio, Texas
Lindsay England Mississippi College Sr. Kinesiology Jackson, Miss.
Jordyn Ferrell Ozarks Sr. Physical Education West Fork, Ark.
Colby Adolph Schreiner Sr. Biochemistry Katy, Texas
Nicole Murdock Sul Ross State So. Mathematics Wolfforth, Texas
Kimmie Grimes Texas-Dallas Jr. Geophysics Austin, Texas
Lauren Glasco Texas-Tyler Sr. HR Development Spring, Texas
Natasha Benavides Texas Lutheran Jr. Mathematics San Antonio, Texas
 
BASEBALL

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Sean Kistler Texas Lutheran Sr. Kinesiology Conroe, Texas
Brent Schaekel Concordia Texas Sr. Business Houston, Texas
Lance Anding East Texas Baptist Jr. Religion Bullard, Texas
James Simmons Hardin-Simmons Sr. Accounting / Finance Abilene, Texas
Houston Holmes Howard Payne Sr. Ex. and Sport Science Brownwood, Texas
Garrett Methvin LeTourneau Jr. Kinesiology Longview, Texas
Chaston Lacaze Louisiana College Jr. Health and P.E. Kolin, La.
Danny Horstman Mary Hardin-Baylor Jr. Pre-Physical Therapy Clifton, Texas
Brooks Fortenberry Mississippi College So. Kinesiology Magee, Miss.
Sam Shook Ozarks So. Mathematics Katy, Texas
Chris Whitehead Schreiner Sr. Exercise Science Edna, Texas
Josh Vasquez Sul Ross State So. Business Administration Lubbock, Texas
Tanner Gandy Texas-Dallas Jr. Business Administration Belton, Texas
Matt Sheppard Texas-Tyler Sr. Marketing Tyler, Texas
 
MEN'S GOLF

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Jack Cersosimo Concordia Texas So. Biology Austin, Texas
Ryan Hughes Hardin-Simmons So. Exercise Science New Braunfels, Texas
Hayden Adams LeTourneau Sr. Engineering Materials Newark, Texas
Dillon Dunbar Louisiana College So. Biology Marksville, La.
Justin Judkins Mary Hardin-Baylor Jr. Exercise & Sport Science San Antonio, Texas
Ethan Doan Mississippi College Jr. Kinesiology Forney, Texas
Cheyne Kendall Schreiner So. Graphic Design Deer Park, Texas
Brad Panske Texas Dallas So Undeclared Green Bay, Wis.
Joey Rippel Texas-Tyler Sr. Finance Sugar Land, Texas
Jacob Garza Texas Lutheran Jr. Accounting Corpus Christi, Texas
 
WOMEN'S GOLF

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Kayla Burch Concordia Texas Sr. Accounting Magnolia, Texas
Kacy Bartlett Hardin-Simmons So. Marketing Wellington, Texas
Taylor O'Rear Mary Hardin-Baylor So. Nursing Belton, Texas
Melanie Dean Schreiner Jr. Marketing League City, Texas
Katie Walser Texas-Dallas Sr. Historical Studies Downers Grove, Ill.
Jordan Sloane Texas-Tyler So. Criminal Justice Cypress, Texas
Macy Glass Texas Lutheran So. Biology Bryan, Texas
 
SOFTBALL

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Lya Swaner East Texas Baptist Sr. Chemistry / Biology St. Paul, Texas
Christina Smith Concordia Texas Sr. Biology Mesa, Ariz.
Carley Willis Hardin-Simmons So. Biology Hurst, Texas
Jourdan Glover LeTourneau Jr. Finance Ft. Worth, Texas
Katie Poerner Howard Payne Sr. Mathematics Comfort, Texas
Brianna Hall Louisiana College Sr. Biology Shreveport, La.
Caitlin Bollier Mary Hardin-Baylor Sr. Exercise & Sport Science Kerrville, Texas
Catherine Brand Mississippi College Jr. Elem. Education Hickory, Miss.
Shawnee Sorensen Ozarks So. Biology Mountainburg, Ark.
Charis Sultemeier Schreiner Jr. Nursing Lago Vista, Texas
Maile Hoyt Sul Ross State So. Kinesiology Toyah, Texas
Hannah Creech Texas-Dallas So. Marketing Lake Jackson, Texas
Rachel Howell Texas-Tyler Sr. Kinesiology Bossier, La.
Megan Carmichael Texas Lutheran Sr. Accounting Yoakum, Texas
 
MEN'S TENNIS

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Todd Turner Ozarks So. Biology Pearcy, Ark.
Nicholas Larzabal East Texas Baptist Jr. University Studies Bogota, Columbia
Jesse Rawlings Hardin-Simmons Sr. Athletic Training Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Carlos Cantu LeTourneau Sr. Business Administration Brownsville, Texas
Nathan Boles Louisiana College Sr. Biology Pineville, Louisiana
Collin Davies Mary Hardin-Baylor Jr. Chemistry Pasadena, Texas
Matthew Martin Mississippi College So. Biology / Pre-Med Laurel, Miss.
Nathan West Schreiner Sr. Marketing Greenley, Colo.
Geoffrey Schuette Sul Ross State Sr. Mathematics Grady, Texas
Camden Cornwell Texas-Dallas Sr. Economics Lafayette, La.
Edward Timponi Texas-Tyler Jr. Finance Rio de Janiero, Brazil
David Schneider Texas Lutheran Sr. Business Management San Antonio, Texas
 
WOMEN'S TENNIS

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ AshLee Bilbo Mary Hardin-Baylor Jr. Organism Biology College Station, Texas
Kayla Franklin East Texas Baptist So. Kinesiology Princeton, Texas
Genene Haddad Hardin-Simmons Jr. Elementary Education Vernon, Texas
Larissa Lynskey Howard Payne So. Biology Anton, Texas
Miranda Lamb LeTourneau Jr. Psychology Burkburnnett, Texas
Hannah Ingerson Louisiana College So. Accounting / Theatre Shreveport, La.
Abby Bassie Mississippi College So. Biology / Pre-Med Gunnison, Miss.
Whitney Lewis Ozarks Jr. Management / Admin. Hartman, Ark.
Kelley Spahn Schreiner Sr. Exercise Science Gonzales, Texas
Rachel Houston Texas Dallas Sr. Biology Plano, Texas
Amy Friesenhahn Texas-Tyler So. Political Science Austin, Texas
Caitlin Zarr Texas Lutheran So. Business Management La Grange, Texas
 
MEN'S TRACK & FIELD

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Jake Waddingham Texas-Tyler Sr. Pol. Science / Journalism Macksburg, Iowa
Matt Ruhe Concordia Texas So. Physical Therapy The Woodlands, Texas
Zeth Barron Hardin-Simmons Jr. Exercise Science Eastland, Texas
Shane Brogdon Mississippi College Sr. Kinesiology Birmingham, Ala.
Miguel Ramirez Sul Ross State So. Kinesiology El Paso, Texas
 
WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD

Name Institution Cl. Major Hometown
+ Ashley Meadows Texas Lutheran Jr. Biology / Chemistry Marion, Texas
Megan Wagenaar Concordia Texas Jr. Business Missouri City, Texas
Kami Bellah Hardin-Simmons Sr. Speech Pathology Merkel, Texas
Meredith Johnson Mississippi College So. Kinesiology Vancleave, Miss.
Debbie Jernigan Sul Ross State So. Business Systems & Tech Abilene, Texas
Baylee Talaska Texas-Tyler Sr. Kinesiology San Antonio, Texas