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From current President Heather Wilson to making up more than 50% of the student population, women at UTEP continue to contribute to the success of the institution in academics. It comes as no surprise; they are also paving the way in sports.
From the first female coach Carol Ammerman to track and field champions like Melinda Sergent and Blessing Okagbare, UTEP women athletes have had a history of reaching career-highs along with earning conference alcaldes in their sport.
Below are some of the top women athletes paving the way for the Miners this year.
The UTEP women’s basketball team closed its season Tuesday, March 8, it finished the season 14-15, and 6-12 in Conference USA. The top Miners this season include sophomore guard Katia Gallegos and junior guard Destiny Thurman.
Gallegos was named All-Conference USA Second Team for the 2021-22 season, averaging 11.6 points, 3.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. Gallegos currently leads the Miners in assists (111), steals (52), blocks (11), field goals made (105), and free throws made (89) this season. The civil engineering major set multiple season-highs in the game against New Mexico State University Dec. 15 with 26 points, 16 free throws made, and 20 free throw attempts.
Thurman received an honorable mention for the All-Conference USA team for the 2021-22 season. This is the first time she has been recognized by C-USA in postseason awards. Thurman leads the Miners in scoring with 13.0 points and in 3-pointers with 37; she averages 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. During a game against North Texas on Feb. 3, Thurman recorded a career-high of 30 points becoming the first Miner to reach 30 points since Sparkle Taylor.
As the UTEP golf team continues its season, two athletes on the team have recorded big numbers throughout the season: French natives sophomore Ines Dakiche and junior Sophie Delfosse.
During the 2021-22, Dakiche competed in four tournaments for 12 rounds where she recorded 965 strokes for an average of 80.4. In her career as a Miner, Dakiche has competed in eight tournaments for 24 rounds where she recorded 1,878 strokes for an average of 78.3. She has a low round of 72 and a best 54 of 224.
Delfosse was named the C-USA golfer of the week on March 2. In the 2021-22 season, she competed in seven tournaments for 12 rounds where she recorded 1,570 strokes for an average of 74.8, a low round of 69 and a best 54 of 217. In her career as a Miner, she has competed in 17 tournaments for 50 rounds where she recorded 3,754 strokes for an average of 75.1. Delfosse has a low round of 69 and a best 54 of 213.
In the the softball world, as the season continues with the Miners 9-11 and 0-0 C-USA, two players have had great seasons so far including redshirt junior Pate Cathey and sophomore outfielder Lexi Morales.
Cathey leads the Miners in batting with an average of .361 on 22 hits, including slugging .574 with an on-base percentage of .388 and three walks. She also leads with 35 total bases. In national ranks, Cathey is 28th in doubles and 32nd in sacrifice flies. Cathey also recorded multiple season highs against UIW on March 5 including, home runs (one), runs scored (two) and runs batted in (five).
Cathey is followed closely by Morales, who has a batting average of .351 on 20 hits and slugging .439 with an on-base percentage of .464. Morales recorded multiple season highs against UIW on March 5 and March 6 including, home runs (one), runs batted in (three), and doubles (one).
The volleyball team closed out the season in December after a historic season, with a record of 24-8, 8-4 C-USA. This was the first winning season for the Miners since 2012, with the best season record since 2005. The Miners had outstanding players, including junior outside hitter/middle blocker Alianza Darley and senior outside hitter Serena Patterson.
As the sport seasons continue and come to an end; fans can rest assured games are in good hands as the UTEP women athletes continue to score milestones.
All stats for each player found on the UTEP Athletics website.
Katrina Villarreal is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected].
