Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Michael Cuviello

Michael Cuviello

Michael Cuviello is a multimedia journalism student at UTEP. He currently serves The Prospector at Sports Editor and reporter. During the summer 2020, he led the publication as Editor-In-Chief where he helped cover Black Lives Matter protests and the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All content by Michael Cuviello
Sophomore Kristen Fritsche fights the ball vs. Rice Saturday Nov. 16, 2019.

Volleyball loses to Rice, earns a rematch in tournament

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor November 19, 2019

The UTEP Miners (13-14, 6-8) lost Saturday to the Rice Owls (24-2,13-1) in three straight sets, thus ending the most successful regular season for the university since 2012’s 16-13 record.  Thoroughly dominating the Miners in the first...

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Senior Katarina Zec plays against Western New Mexico University at  the Don Haskins Center on Oct. 26, 2019.

UTEP women end losing streak versus Aggies

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor November 14, 2019

The Miners broke a three-game losing streak to the New Mexico State Aggies with a 63-57 victory Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Pan American Center.   Senior forward Katarina Zec lead the Miners in scoring with 17 points while playing all 40 minutes...

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UTEP junior forward Bryson Williams goes for a slam dunk towards the closing seconds against NMSU in the Miners 65-50 win.

[Photo] Solid all-around performance by Miners dethrones New Mexico State University

Isaiah Ramirez, Staff Reporter November 13, 2019

UTEP junior forward Bryson Williams goes for a slam dunk towards the closing seconds against NMSU in the Miners 65-50 win.

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UTEP plays home vs. WKU at El Paso, Texas.

UTEP soccer eliminated by eventual C-USA champs

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor November 12, 2019

All good things must come to an end.   Katheryn Balogun’s first season as the Miners’ head coach has been a successful one by all accounts. The Miners have won three more games than the previous year and had its first conference winning...

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UTEP scores against Middle Tennessee.

Volleyball wins third straight, breaks .500

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor November 12, 2019

The UTEP Miners have won 13 games this season following the win  against the North Texas Mean Green 3 sets to 1 Sunday. This victory brings the overall record for UTEP to 13-12 and 6-6 in the conference.  The first set of the match was highly...

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Leading 21-7 at the half over the Charlotte 49ers, the UTEP Miners were shutout in the second half allowing 21 unanswered points to its conference rival in a 28-21 loss. This loss was the eighth consecutive loss for the Miners.

Miners start strong then fade versus 49ers, squander 14-point lead in loss

Michael Cuviello, Sports editor November 11, 2019

Leading 21-7 at the half over the Charlotte 49ers, the UTEP Miners were shutout in the second half allowing 21 unanswered points to its conference rival in a 28-21 loss. This loss was the eighth consecutive loss for the Miners. It was a tale of two...

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Junior forward Bryson Williams powers through a defender late in the second half to score another two points against New Mexico Highlands University at the Don Haskins Center.

Miners start basketball season with balanced win

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor November 6, 2019

The UTEP men's basketball team began the highly anticipated basketball season with a comfortable win over the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys 93-70 in front of more than 3,000 fans at the Don Haskins Center Tuesday night.  The Miners only trailing moment...

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Senior Katarina Zec plays against Western New Mexico University at  the Don Haskins Center on Oct. 26, 2019.

Miners look to rebound from injury plagued season

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor November 5, 2019

The Miners are coming off an injury-plagued season where Coach Kevin Baker was down to a seven-person rotation with his lineup by season’s end.   In Conference-USA’s preseason guide, the Miners are predicted to finish 12th, which is one spot...

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Sophomore guard Jordan Lathon pushes the ball upcourt against Texas Tech in charity game Oct. 12, 2019.

[Photo] Basketball season kicks off for Miner Nation

Isaiah Ramirez, Staff Reporter November 5, 2019

Sophomore guard Jordan Lathon pushes the ball upcourt against Texas Tech in charity game Oct. 12, 2019.

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UTEP Women’s Volleyball team play home Oct 26, 2019.

Miners sweep Herd in volleyball

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor October 29, 2019

The Miners (10-11, 3-5) took all three sets (25-19, 25-20, 25-23) from the Marshall University Herd Friday evening in a dominating performance for the home team.   Sophomore Serena Patterson paced the team with a double-double which included 16 kills...

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UTEP football loses a fifth straight game: Penalties sink Miners

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor October 22, 2019

The UTEP Miners' first drive was an indication that things were not going to go well versus the Florida International University (FIU) Panthers Saturday night. On the third play of the game, senior quarterback Brandon Jones threw an interception in Miner...

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Senior, Winny Koech finishes 3rd place at El Chamizal on Sept. 13, 2019.

UTEP women shine at NCAA prelims: Women’s cross country finishes fourth

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor October 22, 2019

The UTEP women’s cross-country team showed that it could compete with the best teams in the nation at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana on Saturday. Finishing fourth overall as a team with 227 points the Miners were...

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Miners to take on Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Daniel Lopez and Michael Cuviello October 22, 2019

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs come into town Saturday as the Miners return home from Miami with a 32-17 loss against Florida International, dropping the Miners to 1-5 for the season and 0-3 in conference play. The Miners take on a Louisiana...

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UTEP women’s soccer vs. WKU at El Paso, Texas.

UTEP soccer not so golden versus Eagles: Miners fall 3-1 to Southern Miss

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor October 22, 2019

The Miners (8-5-3, 3-3-1) lost to conference rival Southern Mississipi University Golden Eagles (7-8, 2-5) after falling behind 2-0 in the first 15 minutes of the match.The Golden Eagles were able to use the heavy wind at University Field to their...

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UTEP women’s soccer vs. WKU at El Paso, Texas.

Hilltoppers top Miners for second straight soccer loss

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor October 15, 2019

The UTEP Miners (7-4-3, 2-2-1) lost in a defensive struggle against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-4-1, 3-2-2) Thursday night in a match that featured only one goal between both teams.    Defensively, other than the 6-1 loss to Middle Tennessee...

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UTEP women’s volleyball vs. UAB at Memorial Gym Friday Oct. 11, 2019.

Miners’ volleyball ends five-game losing streak

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor October 15, 2019

Struggling after a hot 8-5 start, UTEP (8-10,1-4) won its first conference match against Louisiana Tech (11-8, 1-4), sending the Lady Techsters to their fourth consecutive loss in conference play Sunday.  Overall, the Miners had one of their...

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UTEP women’s volleyball vs UTSA

Miners spiked by Roadrunners

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor October 8, 2019

UTEP Vollyball loses 4th straight match  The banged-up Miners (7-9, 0-3) put on an inspired performance against the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) (10-7, 3-1)   Roadrunners Sunday losing in four sets (25-20, 19-25, 23-25, 24-26). This...

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UTEP Cross Country runner Alan Ortiz competes in Lowry Fitzgerald Invitational in El Paso.

UTEP’s Titus Cheruiyot wins second race of season

Michael Cuviello, Sports Reporter October 8, 2019

Three runners in top three at invitational  Miner freshman Titus Cheruiyot won for the  second time this year in three meets by coming in first at the Joe Piane Invitational Friday Oct. 4 at South Bend, Indiana. Finishing with a time of 24:13.01 Cheruiyot won...

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Miners’ soccer undefeated in conference play

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor October 1, 2019

UTEP tames the Herd, off to best start since 2016 The Miners (7-2-2) staged a comeback victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd 3-8 Thursday, giving them a 2-0 record in conference play. Matching the same start of the 2016 season under former coach...

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Big plays derail Miners football

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 29, 2019

Six minutes into the first quarter, the UTEP Miners looked like they were going to be blown out of the stadium by the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.   The Golden Eagles’ De’ Michael Harris took a pass just beyond the line of scrimmage 74...

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Senior quarterback Brandon Jones drops back in pocket as he looks downfield vs. Nevada.

[Photo] Football opens conference play against Southern Mississippi

Isaiah Ramirez, Staff Reporter September 24, 2019

Senior quarterback Brandon Jones drops back in pocket as he looks downfield vs. Nevada.

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Miners’ turnovers sink improved effort

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 22, 2019

The Miners fought gamely for almost three quarters with an erratic passing game that was compounded by an injury to senior starting quarterback Brandon Jones. Up to this point, they had overcome three interceptions, including one by Jones. "We've made...

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Miners’ Volleyball loses two of three matches

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 17, 2019

The UTEP Miners volleyball team (5-5) wrapped up a three-match series with a sweep in their final matchup against the University of Montana (0-8) winning in three sets (25-15, 25-18,25-20).  Junior Cheyenne Jones got to play in front of her hometown...

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Junior Valeria Mendizabal finished first, garnering her first individual title, with a two-stroke victory over Oral Roberts’s Beatriz Garcia.

Miners place second at Payne Stewart Memorial golf tournament

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 17, 2019

In its first tournament of the season, the UTEP women’s golf team  tied for second among 12 teams competing in the Missouri State/Payne Stewart Memorial Golf Tournament in Springfield, Missouri.   After leading the tournament over the...

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Miners’ soccer unbeaten streak ends at five games

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 17, 2019

 UTEP (4-2-2) fell 2-1 to the  Utah Valley University Wolverines (3-4)  Sunday afternoon after giving up a late goal at the 87-minute mark of the second half.   Midfielder freshman Jackie Miller scored her first career goal as a Miner at the...

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Junior, Carolyne Chepkosgei finished 4th place at El Chamizal on Sept. 13, 2019.

UTEP Cross Country wins at Lori Fitzgerald

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 17, 2019

The Miners’ men and women's cross-country teams both won the team and individual events at the  35th annual Lori Fitzgerald Memorial at Chamizal National Memorial Park in El Paso Friday evening.   The women’s team finished first in the overall...

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Middle blocker Mallory Yost scores against Coppin State Friday Sept. 6, 2019.

Miners volleyball goes 2-2 in Borderland Invitational

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 10, 2019

UTEP stands at 4-3 after losing its last two matches of the Borderland Invitational. Despite a promising start, winning their first two matches Friday, the Miners lost two very close games versus Pacific and I-10 rival New Mexico State this weekend.  UTEP...

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Miners’ offense struggles versus Red Raiders in 38-3 loss

Miners’ offense struggles versus Red Raiders in 38-3 loss

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 7, 2019

UTEP Miners struggled all night on offense versus Texas Tech Red Raiders, scoring only three points while managing 131 yards with just 54 of those in the passing game.   Averaging just mor than two yards per offensive play, the Miners only...

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Miners volleyball take two out of three matches in I-10 Challenge

Miners volleyball take two out of three matches in I-10 Challenge

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor September 3, 2019

The UTEP Miners opened their season in the I-10 challenge with their best performance to start the season since 2011, winning two games in their opening weekend. In the first matchup of the weekend on Friday night the Miners lost in three straight...

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Defender Kori Lewis fights the ball against Abilene Christian University Sunday Aug. 24.

Balogun leads young UTEP soccer team into a new era 

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor August 27, 2019

UTEP soccer started the Head Coach Kathryn Balogun-era this past week, and it has gotten off to a slow start. This Miner team is young and still learning how to mix their skills as a team. After two matches the Miners have a 0-1-1 record with a tie versus...

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Redshirt junior tight end Luke Laufenberg was introduced on National Signing Day as part of the 2019 UTEP football recruiting class. Luke died early Thursday morning after a long battle with cancer.

UTEP football player Luke Laufenberg dies of cancer

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor August 22, 2019

Luke Laufenberg, 21, died early Thursday morning from complications from Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a rare cancer in the United States which attacks immune cells and is known to spread rapidly.  Laufenberg was a recent signee to the Miner football team earning...

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The El Paso Republican Party welcomes President Donald J. Trump on his visit to El Paso, Texas.

Trumps visits University Medical Center of El Paso

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor August 9, 2019

President Trump visited the University Medical Center in El Paso on Wednesday to meet with survivors of the Walmart Shooting and to meet with medical staff amid outrage over the Walmart shooting. According to various reports, Trump met with two previously...

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Candles and signs that read El Paso Strong are many items that were included in memorials for the victims of Saturdays mass shooting.

[Photo] Shooting results in 22 dead and 26 wounded at Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall

August 4, 2019

Candles and signs that read El Paso Strong are many items that were included in memorials for the victims of Saturday's mass shooting.

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A woman pays her respects to the victims of Aug. 3, 2019 mass shooting at Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

[Photo]

A woman pays her respects to the victims of Aug. 3, 2019 mass shooting at Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

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The Cielo Vista Wal-Mart overlooks the makeshift memorials created for the victims of Saturdays tragedy.

[Photo]

The Cielo Vista Wal-Mart overlooks the makeshift memorials created for the victims of Saturday's tragedy.

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Memorials for the victims of Saturdays shooting have been created near the Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

[Photo] The names of the deceased victims of El Paso’s mass shooting

August 6, 2019

Memorials for the victims of Saturday's shooting have been created near the Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

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Candles and flowers are added to the makeshift memorials created for the victims of Saturdays shooting at Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

[Photo]

Candles and flowers are added to the makeshift memorials created for the victims of Saturday's shooting at Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

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Memorials for the victims of Saturdays shooting have been created near the Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

[Photo]

Memorials for the victims of Saturday's shooting have been created near the Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

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Memorials for the victims of Saturdays shooting have been created near the Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

[Photo]

Memorials for the victims of Saturday's shooting have been created near the Cielo Vista Wal-Mart.

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Junior quarterback Mark Torrez will look to earn playing time this season for the Miners.

Miners QB Rundown: Local Mark Torrez looks for opportunity in 2019

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor July 30, 2019

Hometown product and junior quarterback Mark Torrez of Eastwood High School only appeared in one game last season, but did gain extensive experience as a redshirt freshman.  During his freshman year, Torrez played in seven games, completing 14 of...

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Miners Quarterback Rundown Day One: Brandon Jones’ long journey to division one starter

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor July 25, 2019

Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a series of seven profiling the  UTEP's quarterback’s on the roster. The UTEP Miner football team recently added  junior college transfer quarterbacks Gavin Hardison of New Mexico Military Institute...

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“Hello, Dolly” will have 13 performances running through July 20 and tickets are available through the UTEP  ticket center and Ticketmaster.

‘Hello Dolly’ musical set to shine at UTEP

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor July 9, 2019

The UTEP Dinner Theatre presents the classic musical comedy “Hello Dolly!” featuring the timeless Jerry Herman score and directed by Justin Lucero who also serves as the artistic director of the El Paso Opera. Lucero previously directed the UTEP productions...

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Shortstop Luis Urias was  selected to play in the 2019 Triple-A All Star Game.

Three Chihuahuas named to play in All-Star Game

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor June 26, 2019

The El Paso Chihuahuas will be well represented in the upcoming Triple-A All-Star game they are hosting July 10 at Southwest University Park, with three players named to play in the game.  Second Baseman Luis Urias, third baseman Ty France and catcher...

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The Chihuahuas take on the Sacramento Rivercats June 26 at 7:05 p.m.

Chihuahuas look to cure home woes versus River Cats

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor June 25, 2019

                 The El Paso Chihuahuas have the second-best record in the Pacific Coast League at 47-29 but surprisingly have been much better on the road than at home. They stand two games above .500 in Southwest University Stadium while...

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The Chihuahuas currently have the PCLs best record

Chihuahuas heading on the road with PCL’s best record

Michael Cuviello, Sports Editor June 8, 2019

The El Paso Chihuahuas (36-21) currently have the best record in the Pacific Coast League and lead the Pacific Southern Division by 4.5 games. The Chihuahuas are on the road at the Iowa Cubs and have a road series versus Omaha starting on June 7. With...

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Graduate to end  season with tourney success

Graduate to end season with tourney success

Michael Cuviello, Contributor May 7, 2019

El Paso’s own Ariel Blair, a graduating senior center fielder for the UTEP softball team, looks to close out her collegiate career with a second trip to the Conference-USA softball tournament. The Miners clinched the seventh seed in the conference tournament,...

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Photo courtesy of UTEP Athletics

Miners take on Florida International with tournament opportunity in reach

Michael Cuviello, Contributor April 30, 2019

After losing two of three games to the University of Texas at San Antonio this weekend, the UTEP Miners softball team (15-31, 8-13 in C-USA) fell to fifth place in the Conference-USA West division.  The top three teams in each division make the conference...

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UTEP football concludes spring practices, strives to improve

UTEP football concludes spring practices, strives to improve

Michael Cuviello, Contributor April 16, 2019

In front of approximately 550 UTEP fans, Coach Dana Dimel and staff put the upcoming season’s team on display for the loyal fans. The annual orange-blue spring game is now a thing of the past replaced with what is just the last practice of the year...

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El Paso Chihuahuas look to extend five-game winning streak

El Paso Chihuahuas look to extend five-game winning streak

Michael Cuviello, Contributor April 16, 2019

The Chihuahuas (5-6) opened the season losing four out of their first five home games versus the Las Vegas Aviators, in a less than auspicious start for the defending division champs. Coming into this season this squad has been hit with high expectations...

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UTEP softball starts road trip and takes on first place Louisiana Tech

UTEP softball starts road trip and takes on first place Louisiana Tech

Michael Cuviello, Contributor April 9, 2019

UTEP Softball (10-26,4-8) continues its extended road trip with a single game on the road to face the University of New Mexico (UNM) (11-28) April 9, then will travel to Ruston, Louisiana April 13-14 to face first-place Louisiana Tech (30-9, 10-2)....

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UTEP Tennis on a three game winning streak, will play rival NMSU

UTEP Tennis on a three game winning streak, will play rival NMSU

Michael Cuviello, Contributor April 9, 2019

The UTEP tennis team (7-12) will seek to continue its winning streak against I-10 rival New Mexico State (11-8) Saturday, April 13. The Miners won its last three games and have been dominant at home with a 5-1 record, but have found little success on...

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UTEP football defense looks to reload in spring

UTEP football defense looks to reload in spring

Michael Cuviello, Contributor April 2, 2019

The UTEP Miners will only bring back four members of its starting defense from last season. The defense has made some strides, giving up fewer points and improving from being the worst defense in college football the previous year. The team’s top four...

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UTEP Track and Field find success in springtime meet

Michael Cuviello, Contributor March 17, 2019

The UTEP Miners held their only home track meet of the season amid unusually cold and wet conditions which caused havoc on the Saturday schedule with many events being run early. Through the unfortunate conditions the Miners found success in various...

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The good, the bad and the optimism : UTEP men’s basketball

The good, the bad and the optimism : UTEP men’s basketball

Michael Cuviello, Contributor March 12, 2019

Rodney Terry and the Miners finished the season with their closest road loss of the year at Middle Tennessee State losing by a single point, capping off the season winless on the road 0-13. Their conference record of 3-15 is the worst in  UTEP’s history...

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Hometown standout excels on field

Hometown standout excels on field

Michael Cuviello, Contributor March 5, 2019

Freshman right fielder Kasey Flores, formerly of Eastlake High made her presence known from game one of the season in the Las Cruces Classic. In her first collegiate game, Flores homered twice and had 7 RBIs. For the weekend she had three home runs and...

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UTEP womens basketball looks for major upset vs second place UAB

UTEP women’s basketball looks for major upset vs second place UAB

Michael Cuviello, Contributor February 26, 2019

UTEP (7-20, 4-10) will hit the road versus the University Of Alabama at Birmingham ( 22-5,10-4) in a matchup of upper- and lower-tier teams of the conference March 2. The Miners have a four-game losing streak versus the Blazers and recently suffered...

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UTEP head coach Rodney Terry looks to lead his young Miner team into group play. The Miners are currently in 13th place in the Conference-USA standings.

UTEP men’s basketball aim for redemption with group play

Michael Cuviello, Contributor February 19, 2019

The UTEP men’s basketball team (8-17, 3-11) faces an uphill battle to make the conference tournament as the 13th seed in Conference USA’s unique bonus play format. This new format places all-conference teams by record within conference into two groups...

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UTEP softball looks for first winning season since 2010: Players to watch

UTEP softball looks for first winning season since 2010: Players to watch

Michael Cuviello, Contributor February 12, 2019

UTEP softball Head Coach Tobin Echo-Hawk seeks to lead UTEP to its first winning season since 2010. The Miners went 1-3 overall at the New Mexico State Invitational Tournament winning their first game against Creighton, 13-4, but allowed an average of...

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UTEP soccer has a new leader at the helm

UTEP soccer has a new leader at the helm

Michael Cuviello, Contributor February 5, 2019

Kathryn Balogun, UTEP Athletics’ newest hire, takes over the reins for longtime soccer coach Kevin Cross. Cross has been head soccer coach for the last 18 years and compiled a 211-127-27 record. Balogun comes from Texas Southern where, as head coach,...

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