The 2019 spring semester featured tournament wins, names being placed in record books and a conference championship. Miner fans have plenty to look forward to after a solid outing by several Miner programs. Let’s take a look at the notable events that took place in UTEP athletics during the 2019 spring semester.
Women’s Track and Field
For the fourth time in five years, the UTEP Women’s Track and Field team won the Conference-USA indoor track and field championship Feb.17. Senior Lilian Koech won the gold medal in the mile run, with sophomore Carolyne Chepkosgei earned the silver medal in the same event. Junior Linda Cheruiyot earned a gold medal in the 300 m race winning with a time of 9:30.67.
The Miners also excelled in the field with freshman Roosa Yloenen throwing her collegiate best mark of 50.44 in the javelin throw at the Texas A&M Invitational. This throw placed her at seventh all-time in the UTEP record book.
Men’s Golf
A Conference-USA championship was not evident this season for the UTEP men’s golf team, but there were some great moments for team.
The Miners won the Pepsi Cola Classic and sophomore Oskar Ambrosius showed great promise for this program having six top 10 finishes and winning the Bearkat Invitational.
Senior Aaron Terrazas was named to the All-Conference USA second team with a senior season that included four top-five finishes. Terrazas also earned Male Athlete of the Year at the first annual Golden Pick Awards.
As a team, the Miners capped off the year with four top-five finishes and having junior Eduardo Gonzalez returning for the Miners who shot a career-low of 67 during the third round of the Western Intercollegiate Tournament.
Women’s Tennis
The UTEP women’s tennis team has a lot to look forward to next season after an improved 2019 campaign.
Freshman Kirsten Prelle who was recently named to the All-Conference USA singles second team led the Miners with 22 wins and is the first all-conference Miner since 2016. Prelle’s overall winning percentage of .733 places her at eight in the UTEP record books, and her 22 wins places her at 11th all-time. Prelle also earned a 17-7 record in doubles competition and comped at the No. 1 position in singles and doubles for the Miners.
The Miners earned three straight wins for the first time since the 2015-2016 season defeating Portland State, Boise State and UT Tyler.
Sophomore Erandi Martinez earned a win in straight sets at the ITA Mountain Regional Tournament and was named the Steve Hoy UTEP Athlete of the Week going 2-0 in singles play against Boise State Apr. 5, and Wyoming Mar. 2.
The two recent additions of international standouts Thassane Abrahim and Eve Daniels along with returners in Prelle and Martinez bring plenty of promise for this young program.
