Gold Notes: End of Semester News and Notes

UTEP football recruiting is about to get hot and heavy in the next couple of weeks, two more have been confirmed committed for 2014 just this past week.

Adrian Hynson, a defensive back from Corpus Christi-Flour Bluff has committed to the Miners, and Sunday Alex Villareal, a JUCO defensive tackle from Hidalgo, TX committed as well.

Villareal origanally signed with Oklahoma State out of high school, he will have two years of eligibility.

Four prospects have already committed, making it six we can confirm, we take a look at who has committed so far and some confirmed players who have been offered by Sean Kugler and his staff.

Mookie Carlile, DB, 6'1 190, Stephenville, TX

Justen Tatum, LB, 6'0 224, Dallas, TX

Sterling Napier, TE, 6'2 215, Rio Rancho, NM

Sloan Spiller, TE, 6'1 230, Katy, TX

Bold-Committed this week

A'lencio Graham, WR, 6'1 180, Loganville, GA, HS

Art Gomez, OT, 6'5, 275 Downey, CA, HS

Kendrick Igbinoba, RB, 6'2 228 Richardson, TX, HS

Rod Gilleo, OT, 6'6 245, Kingman, AZ, HS,

Troy Kowalksi, OT, 6'5 260 , Glendale, AZ, HS

Anthony McNichols, LB 5'11 220 Huntington Beach, CA, JUCO JR

Joseph Kramer, 6'4 245, DE/LB, Keeting, OH, HS

David Lucero, 6'5 215, TE/LB, Holtville, CA

UTEP continues its home stand Monday night against Tim Floyd's former employer New Orleans, then on Thursday they host Northwestern State, before a road game Saturday in Pullman, Washington against Washington State.

The Miners sit at 5-4 overall, and have a chance to get on a roll with some winnable games coming up, though an identity needs to be formed on offense for that happen. Floyd has not set a rotation yet, and will use the next two weeks to figure it out, as red hot Charlotte will come in the Don in January to open C-USA play.

McKenzie Moore will serve a one game suspension on Monday versus New Orleans, as the Miners will try to win back-to-back games without their leading scorer.

UTEP signee Chris Sandifer scores 51 points in a recent game.

The recruiting news has also picked up, we learned of some new offers on the table not only for 2014 but for some future years as well. Here is what we have heard.

Tyree Griffin- is still a commit but has not signed according to Andrew Lopez from NOLA.com.

Malik Marquetti, SF, 6'6 185, Long Beach, CA, HS

Johnny Vassar, PG, 6'1 175, La Porte, IN, HS

Shaquile Carr, G, 6'1 160, Las Vegas, NV, HS

Ian Fox, G, 6'1 160 Redono Beach, CA, HS

Lew Stallworth,G, 6'1 175, Newhall, CA,HS

Cameron Oliver,F, 6'8 220 Sacramento, CA,HS

DaRon Curry, G' 6'1 175, New Orleans, LA,HS

Melvin Frazer, G 6'4, 185, Marrero, LA, HS

Nate Grimes, F,6'7 190, Las Vegas, NV, HS

Limbo Lull, C, 6'11 235, Palo Verdes, CA, HS

Stephen Zimmerman, 7'0 215, Las Vegas, NV, HS, (5-Star)

Jordan Roberson, G, 6'5 180, Rancho Cordova, CA, HS

Jordan Ford, G, 6'0, Folsom, CA, HS-2016

Ibrahim Doumbia, F, 6'7, Sugarland, TX, HS-2017

The UTEP softball team and new coach, Tobin Echo-Hawk announced their schedule, while also announcing the signing of five new players.

The schedule features a heavy slate of top-teams early on, and literally, right off the bat, they open up the season against Nebraska.

Nebraska played in the college world series last year, and the two teams meet in the Hotel Encanto Tournament in Las Cruces, where the Miners will also take on Florida State, who is a perennial top-25 team.

The early schedule also includes a game with Hawaii in the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas, which feature other Mountain West schools. The Miners also travel to Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats before C-USA play starts up.

Practice starts in January, with season opening game against Nebraka on February 7th.

The Miners also signed five players for 2015, here is the list of signees, thanks to UTEP Athletics for the info.

Courtney Clayton | Middle Infielder | Glencoe HS | Cornelious, Ore.

Played three seasons of varsity softball ... garnered multiple accolades highlighted by the 2013 Oregon 6A Player of the Year and named 2013 first-team All-State infielder ... led a 29-2 Crimson Tide team in hits (56), RBI (40) and batting average (.523), also added three homeruns, 34 runs scored and 17 doubles ... struck out only once during junior season ... hit first-career grand slam to open 2013 season in a 10-2 win over Liberty ... led squad with a .519 batting average during sophomore season ... part of three Pacific Conference Championship squads (2011-13) ... played with the Northwest Bullets (2012-14) and the Oregon Thunder (2004-11) softball club team.

Linda Garcia | Catcher | Kaiser HS | Fontana, Calif.

Played three seasons of varsity softball ... established career highs during junior season in batting average (.346), RBI (29), homeruns (five) and on-base percentage (.454) ... named to 2013 first-team All-League ... went 2-for-5, with two RBI and a run scored during an 11-4 win over Mira Costa in the second-round of the 2013 CIF Southern Section Softball Championships - Division 3 ... tallied 13 doubles during sophomore season ... contributed during freshman season with a .312 batting average, 24 runs scored, 20 RBI and seven doubles to help lead the Cats to their first-ever CIF softball playoffs semifinals ... has hit .329, seven long balls, 71 RBI, scored 45 runs, notched 24 doubles and recorded 80 hits during three-year career.

Breanna Medina | Outfield | Faith Christian Academy | El Paso, Texas

Played club softball with the Texas Sluggers and the New Mexico Sol ... all around athlete who excelled in volleyball and basketball ... FCA does not field a softball team ... won 2009 Western National Championship with the Sluggers and 2011 OKC Triple Crown Championship with the Sol ... averaged 11.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game in 15 games during sophomore and junior basketball seasons ... played 70 sets during junior and senior volleyball seasons, recording 102 kills and 16 aces ... helped lead volleyball squad to 2014 TCAL State Final Four during senior season and guided basketball squad to 2013 TCAL State Final Four during junior season.

Hope Moreno | Infielder | La Habra HS | La Habra, Calif.

Played three seasons of varsity softball and is a two-year captain for the Highlanders ... hit .330 with 20 RBI, eight doubles and 13 runs scored during junior season ... played all 32 games during junior year ... recorded five multiple-hit games ... named to first-team All-League and Cypress All-Tournament team (3-for-7, 2B, 3B, 5 RBI and 2 BB) ... hit .402 with 20 RBI, 23 runs scored and three homeruns during sophomore season ... named to second-team All-League and Whittier Daily News All-Area second team ... efforts helped squad win 2012 and 2013 Freeway League Championships and advanced to semi-finals both seasons ... played club softball with the OC Batbusters.

Taylor Sargent | First Base | Volcano Vista HS | Albuquerque, N.M.

Named 2013 first-team All-District 1-5A ... knocked in 52 runs during junior season and led squad with a .521 batting average ... part of a squad that won 2012 state championship ... hit 12 homeruns and 59 RBI during sophomore season (2012) ... recognized by Albuquerque Journal as one of the top softball players in the state ... played multiple positions (except pitcher) with club team New Mexico Sundancers ... hit three consecutive homeruns against club team Alabama Lightning in 2012.

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