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Back Clinic UTEP (Local) RSS Feed. We are proud to present UTEP athletics as a recognized collegiate sports program distinguished by academic excellence, premier athletic teams, and strong moral principles. The athletics program will add value and advantage to the university through the cultivation of relationships. Through these sports stories, Dr. Jimenez’s goal is to get young kids interested in sports, not only to play but to understand the value of exercise, training, and movement. These are essential for a healthy, productive life.
UTEP (Local) RSS: Our training programs are designed for athletes that look to gain a competitive edge in their sport. We provide sport-specific services to help increase an athlete’s performance through mobility, strength, and endurance. Occasionally, however, the excess workouts can lead many to suffer injuries or develop underlying conditions. Dr. Alex Jimenez’s chronicle of articles for athletes displays in detail the many forms of complications affecting these professionals while focusing on the possible solutions and treatments to follow to achieve athlete’s overall well-being.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | UTEP (Local) RSS
BIRMINGHAM, Al. – Senior Erika Harrawood registered a career-high seven strikeouts in a 3-0 game two loss as UAB pulled away late from UTEP. The Blazers (18-29, 9-9 Conference USA) also defeated the Miners (11-33, 5-15 C-USA) 3-1 in game one Saturday afternoon at Mary Bowers Field.
The series finale will be played on UAB’s Senior Day at noon MT. With the two losses, UTEP is officially eliminated from postseason participation.
UTEP 1, UAB 3
Courtney Clayton knocked in Cortney Smith in the sixth inning to bring the Miners within two runs. Smith led the sixth with a double to left center and would advance to third on a passed ball. With one out, Clayton singled to left field that plated Smith for her 19th RBI of the season. But the UAB defense turned a double play to end the rally.
The Blazers’ leadoff hitter Destini England led the game off with a double to right center. England advanced to third on a sac-bunt by Danii Fernandez and Joanna Fallen reached on a fielder’s choice as England crossed the dish for an early 1-0 lead.
UAB would go on to score two more runs in the third on another Fallen RBI and a Madison Millsaps’ RBI single to make the score 3-0. The Miners, however, turned their 28th double play of the season that left two runners on base to keep the score within striking distance.
Ryder finished 2-for-4, while Lindsey Sokoloski (1-for-3), Smith (1-for-2), Sargent (1-for-3) and Clayton (1-for-2) each tallied knocks. Kaitlin Fifield (2-8) made the start, throwing 3.0 frames with one K. Taylor Grohmann also tossed 3.0 innings, allowing zero hits and striking out one. The two senior hurlers combined for no walks.
UTEP 0, UAB 3
After five scoreless innings and a solid performance from Harrawood, the Blazers scored three runs in the sixth to pull away from the Miners. Pinch hitter Rachel Dunsford singled to lead off the sixth. Pinch runner Katlyn Sides would go one to score the game’s first run with bases loaded.
Another pinch hitter Rian Brown drew a bases-loaded walk to earn the easy RBI. England, who had a hot bat on Saturday, knocked in a pair of runners on a 2-2 pitch. Harrawood would go on to record her seventh K and forced a Fallen groundout to end the frame.
In the seventh with two outs, Cross reached on an error, but Claire Blount would strikeout the last batter to end the contest.
Harrawood (3-12) allowed six hits in 6.0 frames of work and walked four with her career-high seven punch outs. Smith went 2-for-3, while Clayton (1-for-3) and Sargent (1-for-3) each registered hits.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | UTEP (Local) RSS
Berkley Ca. – UTEP’s freshman Emmanuel Korir was just .18 seconds away from the NCAA outdoor record in the 800m after running 1:43.73 at the Brutus Hamilton Challenge Saturday afternoon.
“This is by far the most impressive performance by a freshman. You can tell he has more to a lot left in the tank,” Head coach Mika Laaksonen said. “He is a very special athlete who will continue to surprise everyone watching.”
Korir clocked the second-fastest time in the world this year and set a new school record held by Peter Lemashon (1:45.68) set back in 1978. The talented freshman won the NCAA indoor national title in the 800m and set a world-best 1:14.97 in the 600m earlier this year. Korir notched the second-fastest time in program history in the 400m with a time of 44.67 just eight days ago.
The UTEP track and field team wrapped up the final regular season with 11 first-place finishes in 25 different events. Asa Guevara claimed the top spot with a time of 47.23 in the 400mk, while Carvellion Horn clocked a personal-best 50.31 to finish third.
Brandon Moss in his second competition of the outdoor season notched third-place in the long jump with a mark of 7.32m (24-0.25). James Bias clocked 10.74 in the 100m to garner a third-place showing.
In the men’s mile Jonah Koech (4:02.96) and Cosmas Boit (4:05.43) placed second and fifth respectively.
On the women’s side, Tobi Amusan notched a first-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 5.83m (19-1.50), followed by Tyler Ragin in fifth-place jumping out to 5.51m (18-1).
Samantha Hall threw for 14.06m (46-1.50) in the shot put and 55.17m (181-0) in the discus for a first and second-place showing. Lucia Mokrasova placed third in the shot put tossing for 13.22m (43-4.5), followed by Cierra Chenault with a mark of 11.95m (39-2.5) in eighth-place.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Rebecca Oshinbanjo notched gold running a season-best 14.00, while Danielle Trought clocked a personal-best 14.33 to finish in third-place. Yanique Bennett (58.57) and Dreshanae Rolle (1:00.19) garnered first and second in the 400m hurdles.
Lilian Koech won the 800m clocking a personal-best 2:04.68 and puts her with the fourth-fastest time in school history. Linda Cheruiyot also ran a personal-best of 4:23.60 in the 1,500m claiming fourth overall.
The Miners will enjoy a week off after competing for three consecutive weeks and will return to action to host the Conference-USA outdoor championships May 11-14.
For live updates and breaking news be sure to follow @UTEPTrack on Twitter and uteptrack on Instagram.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | UTEP (Local) RSS
Former Miners Nick Usher, Hayden Plinke, Darrin Laufasa, Cole Freytag and Jerome Daniels will be heading to NFL Camps.
Usher was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks. He was a three-year starter and saw the field in 49 games for the Orange and Blue. Last season, he started all 12 contests and earned All-C-USA honorable mention after leading team in tackles for loss (8.0-41), sacks (5.5-31) and quarterback hurries (five).
The linebacker ranked third on team with 77 tackles (35 solo) and added two pass breakup and a blocked kick. He ranked tied no. 8 in C-USA in total sacks and finished career ranked tied no. 10 with five other Miners in career sacks (12.0). Usher was invited to play in the NFLPA Bowl.
Prior to being a linebacker, Usher played three seasons as a defensive lineman. During his junior campaign, Usher recorded 46 tackles (27s/19a), a career-best 10 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, five quarterback hurries, 3.5 sacks and a blocked kick.
The Seahawks also snagged Plinke. He played two seasons with the Miners, started in 22 games and was on the John Mackey Award watch list both seasons. Plinke started all 12 contests as a senior and earned All-C-USA first team honors after producing a record-setting season.
The tight end stomped and raced past defenders on way to eight receiving touchdowns, the most ever by a UTEP tight end during a single season. Plinke led team in receptions (38) and touchdowns grabs and ranked second in receiving yards (456). He registered a career-long 72-yard touchdown during a season-finale victory against North Texas. Plinke also participated in the NFL combine and the NFLPA Bowl.
Laufasa will be heading to the Cincinnati Bengals. He started 44 games for he Miners at fullback. His blocking efforts helped pave the way for Jones to rush for a single-season program-record 1,773 yards. The team capped 2016 season with a season-high 555 yards of total offense, including a season-best 384 yards rushing (most since 1983) and four scores during a victory against North Texas.
During his junior season, Laufasa recorded 183 rushing yards on 33 attempts (5.5 avg.) and a touchdown. Laufasa rushed for a career-best 85 yards on eight carries (10.6 avg.), including a career-long 66-yard touchdown run during a come-from-behind overtime victory at rival NM State. He tallied a career-best 100 all-purpose yards against the Aggies.
Freytag received a tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The El Paso native played for the Miners in 45 games and earned the starting position as a senior. The wide receiver led the team last season in receiving yards (520) and receiving yards per game (43.3), while ranking second in receptions (36) and receiving touchdowns (five).
The El Paso native produced a career-high 95 yards on four receptions while adding a season-long 46-yard touchdown catch during a victory against rival NM State.
Freytag tallied a career-high seven receptions for 84 yards and a nine-yard scoring catch against Old Dominion. He also hauled in a 30-yard touchdown reception, while recording 45 yards on three catches during a season-finale victory against North Texas. Freytag also saw action on special teams for the Miners.
Daniels was invited to a mini-camp tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a four-year letter winner that started in 35 games for the Miners.
During his senior campaign, Daniels played on an offensive line that paved the way for Aaron Jones to rush for a single-season program-record 1,773 yards, while Jones also became UTEP’s all-time leading rusher. The Miners averaged 185.5 rushing yards per game and scored 20 touchdowns on the ground.
As a junior, he played on an offensive line that led Conference USA in sacks allowed with only 12. During Daniels sophomore season, he was on an offensive line unit that only surrendered 13 sacks in 13 games (ranked first in Conference USA and eighth nationally).
by Dr Alex Jimenez | UTEP (Local) RSS
The Green Bay Packers drafted former Miner Aaron Jones on Saturday afternoon. The running back was drafted with the 36th pick in the fifth round (182nd overall).
The last time a Miner was drafted was in 2008 when a trio was selected.
Tackle Oniel Cousins was selected by the Baltimore Ravens (third round, 36th pick, 99th overall), free safety Quintin Demps was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles (fourth round, 18th pick, 117th overall) and running back Marcus Thomas was picked by the Dallas Cowboys (fifth round, 31st pick, 166th overall).
Aaron Jones set multiple school records during his prolific junior season including earning AP All-American third team and All-Conference USA first team honors. The El Paso native rushed for a single-season school-record 1,773 yards, while climbing his way to the top of the program’s career-rushing list with 4,114 yards, breaking John Harvey’s 28-year old record.
The three-time letter winner averaged 7.7 yards on 229 carries and scored 17 rushing touchdowns (third most in program history). Jones added three more receiving scores, while tallying 2,006 all-purpose yards (fourth best single-season performance in school history).
Jones capped the 2016 campaign with a career-high 301 yards and a career-best four rushing touchdowns against North Texas. Jones’s 301-yard effort is the second most yards rushed in a single contest in UTEP history. He finished the season ranked third in the nation with his 147.8 rushing yards per contest.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | UTEP (Local) RSS
BIRMINGHAM, Al. – UAB (19-29, 10-9 Conference USA) poured on five runs in the first inning to take an early lead against UTEP (11-34, 5-16 C-USA) on its way to a 5-0 victory. The contest was called in the fifth inning after heavy rainfall on Sunday at Mary Bowers Field.
The Blazers jumped on the Miners early when Joanna Fallen put her squad on the board first with a RBI single to right that scored leadoff hitter Destini England. Molli Garcia put two more runs with a single through the left side, while Amy Waters drove in the fifth run on a double to left field.
Cortney Smith and Kiki Pepi led off the fourth with back-to-back singles, while Smith advanced to third and Pepi to second on the throw. But the Miners couldn’t sustain more offense to punch the runners across the home plate.
UTEP recorded five hits on the day as Brianna Red reached base twice (walk in third inning, single in fifth).
Kaitlin Ryder and Lindsey Sokoloski each went 1-for-3. Kaitlin Fifield (2-9) got the start and Erika Harrawood finished the contest, throwing 4.0 frames.
Up Next
UTEP will finish out the 2017 season by hosting defending C-USA champions Florida Atlantic on Senior Weekend (May 6-7). The Miners and Owls will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. Sunday’sSenior Day contest will start at 1 p.m.
Seniors Kaitlin Fifield, Taylor Grohmann, Miranda Gutierrez, Erika Harrawood and Kiki Pepi will be honored following the contest. Part of the Senior Day festivities will include the fathers of each senior throwing out the first pitch.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | UTEP (Local) RSS
UTEP softball head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk announced on Wednesday that pitcher Julia Wright will join the program prior to the 2017 fall season. Wright has played the last two seasons at Ranger College.
“We’re super excited to bring Julia onto the pitching staff for next season,” Echo-Hawk said. “Since we’ll be three pitchers short heading into next season, she’ll definitely add depth to the roster. Julia throws hard and places the ball well. We know Julia is excited to play at the Division I level and it’s great to add someone with collegiate experience in the circle.”
Wright, a native of Langley, British Columbia, will have two years of eligibility with the Orange and Blue and will add to a pitching staff that will lose three senior pitchers (Kaitlin Fifield, Taylor Grohmann & Erika Harrawood) following the 2017 campaign. Wright will join current freshmen hurlers Devyn Cretz and Allie Johnson.
Wright (17-11) ranks tied no. 36 nationally among NJCAA Division I pitchers in wins and has fashioned an ERA of 3.52 in 151.1 innings of work with 89 Ks. Wright has started 28 games with 32 appearances and registered 16 complete games. She has also tallied a save and 60 walks. Wright has four at bats with an RBI single.
One of Wright’s highlights in 2017 was tossing a no-hitter during a victory against Western Oklahoma State College on Feb. 25. She threw 5.0 frames, stuck out five and walked one during the 15-0 triumph. Wight hurled a season-high seven strikeouts in only 3.0 frames of work in a win against Mountain View College (April 19).
She tallied six Ks in 5.0 innings against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid (Feb. 18). Wright registered five strikeouts and allowed only one hit in 5.0 frames during a victory versus Cloud County Community College (Feb. 17). Wright went 1-for-3 with a RBI during an 8-0 win at Rose State College (March 18), while recently tossing a one-hit win in 5.0 innings against Vernon College (April 22).
She earned her lone save on March 1 at North Central Texas College, throwing an inning with a strikeout during Ranger College’s 7-5 win.
In 2016, Wright threw 213.0 innings and recorded 134 Ks. She finished 17-18 in 35 starts (41 appearances) and saved a pair of games. Wright recorded a career-high nine Ks in 6.0 innings, while allowing only three hits at Western Texas College on Feb. 29. She tallied seven strikeouts in three different contests, while registering six Ks in four different games her freshman season.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | UTEP (Local) RSS
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TEXARKANA � The UTEP men�s golf team defeated Southern Miss (4-1, semifinals) and Charlotte (4-1, finals) in match-play format to win the 2017 Conference USA Men�s Golf Championship at the Texarkana Country Club on Tuesday.
It is the first conference title since 1985 and only the second in program history. The Orange and Blue also punched their ticket to the NCAA Regionals for the first time as a team since 2004.
It was the fitting conclusion to the three-day event for the Miners, who notched the top seed in match play after their first-place showing in stroke play (15-over 879; 287-294-298).
�You have a lot of moving parts going on,� sixth-year head coach Scott Lieberwirth said. �It�s tough to judge [the match]. The best part is we got the first two points on the board. Knowing that we had leads in two other matches, we knew we just needed to hang on and close out one of those matches.�
Battling in a match that was too close to call early, Nicklas Pihl got the Miners off to a solid start in the championship vs. Charlotte. The match with the 49ers� Conor Purcell was all square through eight holes before Pihl found another gear. He won two of the next three holes to go 2UP through the 11th hole, and Purcell could never recover.
UTEP pushed its team advantage to 2-0, thanks to Charles Corner knocking off the 49ers� Matty Lamb, 2UP. Corner started fast by taking the first two holes, an edge he maintained through the turn. Lamb�s comeback started on the back nine with wins at both 10 and 13 to make the match all square. Corner remained steadfast, winning both the 15th and 18th holes to put Lamb away.
Charlotte tried to claw back into the championship with Tyler Young edging Aaron Terrazas, 1UP. The match was all square through 15 holes but Young found the necessary separation after carding a 3 and Terrazas recorded a 4 on the 17th hole. Both golfers fired 4s on the 18th hole to give the 49ers a team point.
The lone senior on the team Frederik Dreier then took center stage. The reigning C-USA Golfer of the Year was in a back and forth match with Charlotte�s John Gough. All squared through 10 holes, Dreier won three of the next five holes to take control of the dual. Gough claimed hole No. 16 to get within two, but Dreier prevailed, sending the Miners into celebration.
�It was very emotional,� Dreier said. �This being my last conference [tournament] ever and to win it with the guys was amazing.�
Those sentiments were expounded upon by Lieberwirth.
�I think fittingly, it was Frederik Dreier�s match that clinched it for us, him being a senior, him being the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year,� Lieberwirth said. �It couldn�t have been a better ending for us to have Freddie finish it.�
Andreas Sorensen lost the first two holes to the C-USA individual medalist Seth Gandy before a stunning reversal. He squared with Gandy by the fifth hole and vaulted out to 3UP through hole No. 13. Gandy�s rally came too little, too late, as Sorensen won 1&2.
The Miners made it to the final round of match play after a hard-fought 4-1 win over Southern Miss. The tournament was shortened a day due to a forecast of inclement weather on Wednesday.
�It [weather] forced us to have to play two rounds in back-to-back days, which is something we never do,� Lieberwirth said. �Without question, fatigue was a factor for both teams. We were fortunate to get to that championship match. It�s difficult for everybody involved, but our guys fought through it, they continued to play well throughout the afternoon. They just did a great job.�
Pihl set the tone against the fourth-seeded Southern Miss Golden Eagles with a 3&2 conquest of Walker Kesterson. It was all squared through the opening six holes before Pihl won two of the next three to make the turn 2UP. The Golden Eagle briefly cut into the lead on hole No. 11, but Pihl recovered immediately on No. 12 and never looked back.
Sorensen raced out to a huge lead, taking each of the first five holes from the Golden Eagles� Derick Kelting. The margin remained five heading into the 13th hole, before Kelting mounted a rally, winning four of the next five to make the dual tight going into the 18th hole. Sorensen did not flinch however, matching Kelting with a 4 and winning the dual.
USM�s Ryan Argotsinger and UTEP�s Dreier battled back-and-forth early on, with Argotsinger 2UP at the turn. Dreier�s aspirations of a comeback didn�t come to fruition, with Argotsinger posting a 5&4 victory.
As it turned out, that proved to be the lone team point in the match for Southern Miss. The Miners clinched the team win thanks to Corner�s 1UP vanquishing of Matt Lorenz. Terrazas downed Matt Codd 1 & 1 to punctuate the victory.
Corner quickly dug himself an early hole, with Lorenz jumping out to a 2UP lead through three holes. Corner responded brilliantly, tasting victory on six of the next seven holes to stand 4UP through the 11th hole. Lorenz fought back and eventually clawed back to all square through 17 holes but Corner won the 18th hole.
It was a compelling match between Terrazas and Codd, with action all square through 16 holes. Terrazas found a way to get it done, though, carding a 3 while Codd was saddled with a 5 on the 17th hole.
The NCAA Regionals are slated to begin on May 15.
�I feel like we have got a lot of grown men,� Lieberwirth said. �They act mature, I think they play the game the right way and I think they act the right way, which is something that we want from our program. I couldn�t be any prouder than I am right now.�
