Angelo State University

Angelo State University conferred 658 undergraduate and graduate degrees on 657 graduates during the 2021 fall commencement exercises on Dec. 11, 2021, at the Junell Center/Stephens Arena in San Angelo, Texas. A full list of the graduates is available on the ASU website at angelo.edu/commencement.

Avery McNeme of Lubbock, a graduate midfielder on the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team, has earned 2021 All-America honors from United Soccer Coaches (USC) and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). Also the Lone Star Conference Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year, McNeme has been named to the USC All-America second team and the D2CCA All-America second team. Earlier this month, she was also named to the All-South Central Region first team by both of those organizations. In her final season, McNeme posted eight goals and nine assists to lead the Rambelles to the LSC Championship. She finishes her ASU career with 22 goals and a school-record 34 assists. See more details at angelosports.com.

Three players on the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team have earned 2021 All-South Central Region honors from the United Soccer Coaches (USC) organization. Graduate midfielder Avery McNeme of Lubbock and junior defender Cassidy Hill of Forney were named to the all-region first team. Senior goalkeeper Kira Miller of Frisco was named to the all-region second team. All three had also previously been named to the D2CCA All-South Central Region first team by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association. McNeme also earned 2021 Lone Star Conference Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year honors. She finishes her ASU career with 22 goals and 34 assists over 92 matches. Hill is a 2021 All-LSC first team selection. She led the ASU defense that gave up just 0.83 goals per game and posted 12 shutouts in 23 games this season. Miller is the 2021 LSC Goalkeeper of the Year. She played every minutes for ASU this season, posting all 12 shutouts. See more details at angelosports.com.

Three seniors on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team have earned 2021 All-America status from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Right side/setter Kailyn Gilbreath of Fort Worth was named a first-team All-American, middle blocker Baleigh Allen of Katy was named to the All-America third team, and middle blocker Sophia Berg of Georgetown earned All-America honorable mention. Gilbreath is now a two-time All-American, as well as the 2021 Lone Star Conference and AVCA South Central Region Player of the Year. She is the first Belles first-team All-American since 2016. Allen was also named the 2021 LSC Defensive Player of the Year and to the AVCA All-South Central Region first team. Berg was also named the LSC Academic Player of the Year, made the CoSIDA Academic All-Region Team and earned AVCA All-South Central Region honorable mention. The Belles won the LSC regular season title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA D-II Tournament. See more details at angelosports.com.

Two members of Angelo State University's Ram Powerlifting Club brought home medals, including one first-place Gold Medal, from the U.S.A. Powerlifting 2021 Collegiate Cup competition in San Antonio. Competing against lifters from colleges and universities across Texas, ASU's Britney George of Hawley took first place in the 167 pounds Raw Collegiate contest, and Annabelle Butts of Lubbock took third place in the 116 pounds Raw Collegiate contest. Lifters complete three attempts each at squat, bench press and deadlift. The qualifying total is the sum of the highest weight lifted in each of the three disciplines. George and Butts posted the following top weights: Britney George Bench Press - 192 pounds Squat - 358 pounds Deadlift - 385 pounds Annabelle Butts Bench Press - 133 pounds Squat - 187 pounds Deadlift - 275 pounds Unlike intramural teams, ASU club sports teams are registered student organizations that are directed and funded by the Office of Student Life and overseen by the Sports Club Council.

Angelo State University's chapter of the Alpha Chi national honor society recently inducted 59 new members for the fall 2021 semester during a ceremony in the Houston Harte University Center. Alpha Chi is one of the nation's most prestigious honor societies and is open to students majoring in all academic disciplines. To be eligible, students must rank in the top 10% of seniors at their college or university, or in the top 7.5% of juniors. See the full list of inductees, listed by their hometowns, at angelo.edu/news.

Angelo State University's chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) national honor society has awarded 36 pre-membership Certificates of Merit to freshmen in the top 2.5% of their class and sophomores in the top 5% of their class in recognition of their academic success and as encouragement to join PKP when they are eligible as juniors. PKP is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society encompassing all academic disciplines. Invitations to join PKP are extended to juniors in the top 7.5% of their class and to seniors and graduate students in the top 10% of their class. See the full list of certificate recipients at angelo.edu/news.

Angelo State University's chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) national honor society recently inducted its fall 2021 class of 86 students during a special virtual initiation ceremony on Facebook. PKP is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for students in all academic disciplines. Invitations to join PKP are extended to juniors in the top 7.5% of their class and to seniors and graduate students in the top 10% of their class. See the full list of inductees, listed by their hometowns, at angelo.edu/news.

Six players on the Angelo State University Rams football team have been named to the 2021 D2CCA All-Super Region 4 Team by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). Senior linebacker Hunter Kyle of Wichita Falls, sophomore running back Nathaniel Omayebu III of Sherman, and sophomore offensive tackle Willis Patrick of Grand Prairie earned selection to the all-region first team. Sophomore linebacker Daron Allman of Killeen, senior safety Leddy French II of Brock, and senior defensive tackle G'Karri McCoy of Dallas were named to the all-region second team. The Rams finished the regular season at 9-2 and have now advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time since 1989. They face Colorado School of Mines on Saturday, Dec. 4. See more details at angelosports.com.

Two members of Angelo State University's Ram Powerlifting Club brought home first-place medals from the U.S.A. Powerlifting 2021 Longhorn Open competition at the University of Texas at Austin. Competing against lifters from colleges and universities across Texas, ASU's Jeremiah Fultz of Cedar Hill took first place in the 163 pounds Raw Collegiate contest, and Jaylen Montgomery of Waco took first place in the 145 pounds Equipped Collegiate contest. Lifters complete three attempts each at squat, bench press and deadlift. The qualifying total is the sum of the highest weight lifted in each of the three disciplines. Montgomery also won first place in the 145 pounds Equipped Collegiate contest in 2019. See more details at angelo.edu/news.

Three players on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball volleyball team have earned 2021 All-South Central Region honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Kailyn Gilbreath of Fort Worth, Baleigh Allen of Katy and Sophia Berg of Georgetown earned all-region honors after leading the Belles to the Lone Star Conference Regular Season Championship and a 10th straight trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Gilbreath was named the South Central Region Player of the Year and is joined by Allen on the all-region first team. Berg earns all-region honorable mention. Gilbreath, a senior right side/setter, was also named the LSC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. She led the Belles in kills and assists while recording six triple-doubles this season, third-most in NCAA D-II. She has also been named to the D2CCA All-South Central Region First Team. Allen, a senior middle blocker, was also named the LSC Defensive Player of the Year. She led the LSC in total blocks and blocks per set, and she was three times named Defensive Player of the Week this season. She has also been named to the D2CCA All-South Central Region First Team. Berg, a senior middle blocker, was also named the LSC Academic Player of the Year and was named to the 2021 Academic All-Region Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). See more details at angelosports.com and on the AVCA website.

Angelo State University Belles volleyball players Baleigh Allen of Katy and Kailyn Gilbreath of Fort Worth have been named to the 2021 D2CCA All-South Central Region First Team by the Division II Conference Commissioners Assocation. Allen, a senior middle blocker, was also named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year. She led the LSC in total blocks and blocks per set, and she was three times named Defensive Player of the Week this season. Gilbreath, a senior right side/setter, was also named the LSC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. She led the Belles in kills and assists while recording six triple-doubles this season, third-most in NCAA D-II. She also won six player of the week honors. With Allen and Gilbreath leading the way, the Belles claimed the LSC Regular Season Championship and begin play this week at the NCAA D-II South Central Regional in Denver. See more details at angelosports.com.

Three players from the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team have been named to the 2021 All-South Central Region First Team by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). Defender Cassidy Hill of Forney, midfielder Avery McNeme of Lubbock and goalkeeper Kira Miller of Frisco earned the D2CCA honors after leading the Rambelles to the Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship and into the second round of the NCAA D-II Tournament. Hill was also named to the All-LSC first team for the second time, McNeme was named the LSC Midfielder of the Year for the fourth time, and Miller was named LSC Goalkeeper of the Year. This is the third D2CCA all-region selection for McNeme and the first for Hill and Miller. See more details at angelosports.com.

Abbie Hill of McKinney, a senior at Angelo State University, has been selected for a Distinguished Chapter Officer Award by the national chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) international honor society for education. A teacher education major, Hill previously served as president of ASU's Mu Gamma chapter of KDP. She earned her Distinguished Chapter Officer Award for her leadership during the 2020-21 academic year. She is now completing her student-teaching in her hometown of McKinney in preparation to graduate in December. ASU's chapter of KDP also earned a 2021 Achieving Chapter Excellence (ACE) Award from the national chapter. See more details at angelo.edu/news.

Sophia Berg of Georgetown, a middle blocker on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team, has been named to the 2021 Academic All-District Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The CoSIDA Academic All-District Team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performance on the court and in the classroom. As Berg was named first-team Academic All-District, she is now eligible for CoSIDA Academic All-America honors that will be announced in December. A senior biology major, Berg is carrying a 4.0 GPA and was also named the Lone Star Conference Academic Player of the Year. For her performance on the court, she earned All-LSC honorable mention.

Willis Patrick of Grand Prairie, an offensive tackle on the Angelo State University Rams football team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year for the 2021 season. A sophomore, Patrick led the Rams offense that averaged a league-high 442.5 yards per game. ASU also ranked first in the LSC in scoring offense (37.1 ppg) and rushing offense (228.5 ypg), second in passing efficiency, red zone offense and time of possession, and third in passing offense (214 ypg). Patrick was also named to the All-LSC first team. The Rams finished the regular season 9-2 and will represent the LSC in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, starting Nov. 20 with a home game against the University of Minnesota-Duluth. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Nathaniel Omayebu III of Sherman, a running back on the Angelo State University Rams football team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Back of the Year for the 2021 season. A sophomore, Omayebu led the Rams and the LSC in rushing with 1,063 yards, and in rushing touchdowns with nine. He also averaged a league-high 93 yards per game. He was also named to the All-LSC first team after leading the Rams' offense that ranked first in the LSC in rushing, total offense and scoring offense. The Rams finished the regular season 9-2 and will represent the LSC in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, starting Nov. 20 with a home game against the University of Minnesota-Duluth. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Hunter Kyle of Wichita Falls, a linebacker on the Angelo State University Rams football team, has earned the J.V. Sikes Award as the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021 season. A senior, Kyle notched a team-high 71 tackles during the regular season, adding seven tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception that he returned for a touchdown. He led the Rams' defense that ranked first in the LSC against the run, second against the pass, second in total defense and second in scoring defense. The Rams finished the regular season 9-2 and will represent the LSC in the NCAA Division II playoffs starting Nov. 20 with a home game against the University of Minnesota-Duluth. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Twenty-six players from the Angelo State University Rams football team have earned Lone Star Conference postseason honors for the 2021 season. Highlighting the ASU accolades are linebacker Hunter Kyle of Wichita Falls earning the J.V. Sikes Award as LSC Defensive Player of the Year, running back Nathaniel Omayebu III of Sherman being named LSC Offensive Back of the Year, and tackle Willis Patrick of Grand Prairie being named LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year. Overall, 11 Rams were named to the All-LSC first team, 11 were named to the second team, and four earned honorable mention. The Rams finished the regular season 9-2 and will represent the LSC in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. More details are available at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Kristen Kilpatrick of Abilene, a political science major at Angelo State University, earned a Distinguished Delegate Award at the 25th annual Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS) Collegiate Summit of the Americas Conference at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. In the conference's Model Summit of the Americas competition, Kilpatrick earned a Distinguished Delegate Award for her performance on the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development Committee. The award was given for her work in committee arguing for passage of a proposal, debating various other proposals, and using parliamentary procedure. Also during the conference, Kilpatrick was elected ESMOAS secretary general for 2022. She is also president of the ASU Student Government Association. ESMOAS is an academically-centered program that brings together the nation's best and brightest college students to debate the issues facing the nations in North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. See more details at angelo.edu/news.

Weston Bauer of Brady and Zach Bronkhorst of Galveston, both juniors on the Angelo State University Rams football team, have been named to the Lone Star Conference All-Academic Team for the 2021 season. Bauer, a defensive end, is majoring in business administration. Bronkhorst, the Rams' starting quarterback, is majoring in homeland security. Both players were also selected to the All-LSC second team for their performance on the field. The All-Academic Team is selected by the league's sports information directors, based on both academic and athletic achievement. To be eligible, student-athletes must have played in at least 50% of their team's contests, reached sophomore athletic and academic standing, completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution, and have a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade point average for their entire collegiate career. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Baleigh Allen of Katy, a middle blocker on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team, has been named the 2021 Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The senior was also named to the All-LSC first team, and she is ASU's first LSC Defensive Player of the Year honoree since 2004. Allen led the LSC in total blocks (109) and blocks per set (1.24). She was also fourth on the Belles in points (235.5) and fifth in kills (160) and service aces (12). She was named LSC Defensive Player of the Week three times during the season. Allen's play helped lead the Belles to the LSC Regular Season Championship, and they are hosting the LSC Tournament Nov. 18-20. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Kailyn Gilbreath of Fort Worth, a right side/setter on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team, has been named the 2021 Lone Star Conference Player of the Year for the second straight year. The senior was also named to the All-LSC first team for the third time. In a testament to her all-around play, Gilbreath led the Belles in points (310.5), kills (266), assists (645) and service aces (38). She was named LSC Offensive Player of the Week and LSC Setter of the Week three times each during the season. With Gilbreath leading the charge, the Belles claimed the LSC Regular Season Championship and are hosting the LSC Tournament Nov. 18-20. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Chloe Patton of Gillett, a libero on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team, has been named to the 2021 Lone Star Conference All-Academic Team. A senior biology major with a 3.81 GPA, Patton was also named to the All-LSC second team. The All-Academic Team is selected by the league's sports information directors, based on both athletic and academic achievement. To be eligible, student-athletes must have played in at least 50% of their team's contests, reached sophomore athletic and academic standing, completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution, and have a minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA for their entire collegiate career. This marks the second straight season Patton has been selected for the LSC All-Academic Team. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Sophia Berg of Georgetown, a middle blocker on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team, has been named the 2021 Lone Star Conference Academic Player of the Year. A senior biology major with a 4.0 GPA, Berg was also named to the LSC All-Academic team, along with teammate Chole Patton of Gillett, a biology major with a 3.81 GPA. The All-Academic Team is selected by the league's sports information directors, based on both athletic and academic achievement. To be eligible, student-athletes must have played in at least 50% of their team's contests, reached sophomore athletic and academic standing, completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution, and have a minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA for her entire collegiate career. This marks the third time Berg has been named to the LSC All-Academic Team, and the second time for Patton. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Eight members of the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team have earned Lone Star Conference postseason awards after leading ASU to the LSC Regular Season Championship. Topping the awards are Kailyn Gilbreath of Fort Worth, who was named LSC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year; Baleigh Allen of Katy, who was named LSC Defensive Player of the Year; and Jaedyn Woolley of Amarillo, who was named to the LSC All-Freshman Team. Gilbreath and Allen were also selected for the All-LSC first team. Chloe Patton of Gillette and Grace White of Helotes were named to the All-LSC second team. Sophia Berg of Georgetown, Delaney Fuller of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Elsa Lamphere of Aurora, Colo., earned All-LSC honorable mention. The Belles are hosting the LSC Tournament Nov. 18-20. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Kailyn Gilbreath of Fort Worth, a senior on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Setter of the Week for the final week of the regular season. Gilbreath posted a pair of triple-doubles as the Belles went 2-0 for the week and wrapped up the LSC Regular Season Championship. Against St. Mary's on Nov. 12, she recorded 29 assists, 19 digs and 11 kills. Then against St. Edward's on Nov. 13, she notched 23 assists, 10 kills and a season-high 20 digs. She ranks third in NCAA Division II with six triple-doubles this season. This is the sixth LSC weekly honor for Gilbreath this season. She has been named Setter of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week three times each. The Belles will host the LSC Tournament this weekend. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Baleigh Allen of Katy, a senior middle blocker on the Angelo State University Belles volleyball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season. Allen was an imposing figure at the net as the Belles went 2-0 for the week and clinched the LSC Regular Season Championship. In victories over St. Mary's and St. Edward's, she posted 17 total block assists and led the Belles' defense that held both the Rattlers and Hilltoppers to hitting percentages below .120. She finished the regular season first in the LSC in total blocks and blocks per set. This is Allen's third LSC Defensive Player of the Week honor this season. The Belles will host the LSC Tournament this weekend. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Devaughn Thomas of New Orleans, La., a junior guard on the Angelo State University Rams basketball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2021-22 season. At the LSC/RMAC Conference Challenge, Thomas led the Rams to a 2-0 record with high-scoring wins over New Mexico Highlands, 96-94, on Oct. 13 and Fort Lewis College, 98-87, on Oct. 14. He averaged 23.5 points per game after scoring a team-high 21 points against NMHU and a game-high 26 points against FLC. Thomas shot 68% from the field and 80% from 3-point range. He also chipped in 11 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks over the two games. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Five players on the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team were named to the All-Lone Star Conference Tournament Team following ASU's 1-0 victory over Dallas Baptist University in the championship game on Nov. 14. For ASU, forward Mariah Griffin of Midlothian, defender Kylie Hampton of Frisco, midfielders Katelin Heise and Avery McNeme of Lubbock, and midfielder/forward Madison Stokes of Amarillo made the All-LSC Tournament Team. McNeme was also named the Tournament MVP. They led the Rambelles to their second straight LSC Tournament title, and ASU claimed the LSC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship for the first time since 2018. The championship begins Nov. 19. See more details on angelosports.com and on the LSC website.