Post by CrimsonPhantom on Apr 13, 2012 9:15:11 GMT -7
By Jack Nixon Las Cruces Bulletin
The annual Crimson and White Scholarship dinner sponsored by El Paso Electric Co. is coming up. The event will be held Wednesday, April 18, to praise the highest-ranking scholars in the athletics department.
New Mexico State currently has the best academic track record in the WAC, judging by the scholars recognized by the league after the first semester.
The Crimson and White Society dinner sprang from the mind of former El Paso Electric Co. executive Bob McNeil.
McNeil was looking for a way for his business to do more than just advertise at NM State games. He wanted the utility company to be in position to say thanks and give tribute to the student athletes who were excelling when it came to grades.
The top brass at the utility company had no problem getting on board, and the night of recognition is an annual spring event. Each year, the number of athletes earning at 3.5 or better has grown. This isn’t the only corporate recognition of academics at the school. The Wells Fargo Academic Wall of Honor greets fans at the north end of the Pan American Center. The photo array of the best and brightest student athletes was inaugurated by former athletics director Jim Paul in 1998 and remains the most visible reminder that books and hook shots are a good mix.
Congrats to those winning the battle in both the academic and athletic worlds and thanks to Wells Fargo and El Paso Electric Co. for getting involved to showcase these students’ achievements.
On track for glory: The Aggies’ track and field team continues to rack up first-place finishes thanks to some familiar faces.
The Aggies competed in the Don Kirby Invitational with junior LaSasha Aldredge winning the 400 meter and junior Kelsey Brennan winning the javelin competition. Aldredge’s time in the 400 was 54.33, which was within a fraction of a second from breaking her personal best and the current all-time school record of 54.17. She finished fourth in the 200 meter with a career-best time of 24.29.
Brennan led the Aggies’ field squad with a heave of 40.75 meters; freshman Tiffany Gerber finished second with a mark of 39.14 meters and freshman Nico-lette Serraro finished right behind in third with a mark of 38.55.
Yes, this is the same Kelsey Brennan you have seen spiking the volleyball so effectively for Mike Jordan in the fall. The Aggies are building depth in the field category of the sport, and with Aldredge’s continued blazing times, the spring outdoor championships are getting closer to NM State’s grasp.