ARLINGTON, Texas – A total of 23 student-athletes representing the 11 full-time members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) comprise the roster of the inaugural WAC Student-Athlete Emerging Leaders group for the 2023-24 academic year.
 
Student-athletes from WAC member institutions that are non-WAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representatives were selected to the initial roster of conference emerging leaders. Student-athletes included in the first group of emerging leaders were chosen by athletics administrators on respective WAC member campuses and are under the stewardship of WAC Associate Commissioner for Compliance and Governance Marlon Edge.
 
The WAC Student-Athlete Emerging Leaders, along with WAC SAAC, will participate in yearlong programming as part of the WAC Career and Leadership Professional Development Series throughout 2023-24. The series is an academic initiative that aims to improve student-athlete mental health, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills by connecting with professionals in each field.
 
The initial online workshop of the professional development series that featured WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton as guest speaker was held on Sept. 24. Three additional workshops are scheduled through the end of the spring 2024 semester that will allow the combined student-athlete leadership groups to establish and build relationships with the chief diversity officers on WAC member campuses, while cultivating a strategy for continued growth of the program.
 
2023-24 WAC Student-Athlete Emerging Leaders Roster
Kate Hansen, Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field, Abilene Christian University
Hunter Jack Madden, Men’s Basketball, Abilene Christian University
Kalena Burns, Softball, California Baptist University
Chaz Hallmark, Wrestling, California Baptist University
Logan Manley, Women’s Volleyball, California Baptist University
Atu Ambala, Men’s Swimming and Diving, Grand Canyon University
Annabella Howerton, Beach Volleyball, Grand Canyon University
Blaise Achecar, Men’s Swimming and Diving, Seattle University
Erin Tarasow, Women’s Basketball, Seattle University
Teniyah Leuluai, Women’s Volleyball, Southern Utah University
Hanslee Peay, Football, Southern Utah University
Brock Bolfing, Football, Stephen F. Austin State University
Lydia Sattler, Women’s Soccer, Stephen F. Austin State University
Sydney Rouillard, Women’s Soccer, Tarleton State University
Brady Sisneroz, Men’s Track and Field, Tarleton State University
Nicole Hill, Softball, University of Texas at Arlington
Scott Frazier, Men’s Track and Field, University of Texas at Arlington
Isaiah Brown-Barganier, Men’s Basketball, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Ingridy Foltran, Women’s Volleyball, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Ethan Bell, Men’s Soccer, Utah Tech University
Kalea Woodyatt, Women’s Soccer, Utah Tech University
Austin Kleinman, Men’s Track and Field, Utah Valley University
Oakley Olson, Women’s Track and Field, Utah Valley University
 
2023-24 WAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Roster
Miranda Davila, Softball, Abilene Christian University
Macie Stephens, Women’s Soccer, Abilene Christian University
Anthony Egbo, Jr., Football, Abilene Christian University (NCAA DI SAAC Representative)
Sadie Hackford, STUNT, California Baptist University
Logan Premack, Men’s Soccer, California Baptist University
Krista Rowan, Beach Volleyball, Grand Canyon University
Becca Tschetter, Women’s Golf, Grand Canyon University
Liliya Dimova, Women’s Tennis, Seattle University
Liliana Garcia, Softball, Seattle University
Camden Cox, Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field, Southern Utah University
Alexa Lord, Women’s Basketball, Southern Utah University
Kyra Guhl, Women’s Soccer, Stephen F. Austin State University
Hana Roers, Women’s Bowling, Stephen F. Austin State University
Austin Germain, Softball, Tarleton State University
Matthew Haley, Baseball, Tarleton State University
Nika Novikova, Women’s Tennis, University of Texas at Arlington
Morgan Westbrook, Softball, University of Texas at Arlington (Vice President)
Georgina Hernandez, Women’s Soccer, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (President)
Zach Tjelmeland, Baseball, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Breaunna Gillen, Women’s Basketball, Utah Tech University
Syrus Webster, Football, Utah Tech University
Annabelle Millard, Women’s Golf, Utah Valley University
Nicole Olanda, Women’s Soccer, Utah Valley University