San Antonio, Texas- The Our Lady of the Lake University men’s and women’s cross country teams opened competition at the UIW Twilight Meet, facing a strong field that included NCAA Division I programs Incarnate Word, Texas State and UTSA.
The OLLU men placed sixth overall in the 6K race with 178 points and a cumulative time of 1:44:16. Joseph Gonzalez led the Saints with a time of 19:39.49, finishing as the top OLLU runner in the field.
Joey Poblano followed Gonzalez with a time of 19:57.39. Luke Adams was next across the line for the Saints at 21:32.72, while Anthony Alaniz finished in 21:33.23 and Joel Telles recorded a nearly identical time of 21:33.28 to round out OLLU’s top five scorers.
Antonio Padilla completed the course in 21:52.40, and Joseph Trevino finished with a time of 22:45.85.
Incarnate Word won the men’s team title with 28 points, followed by Texas State with 57 points and UTSA with 63. Trinity University placed fourth with 94 points, while Blinn College finished fifth with 128 points.
On the women’s side, the Saints placed seventh overall in the 4K race with 196 points and a cumulative time of 1:26:36.
Zaddie Santacruz paced OLLU with a time of 15:28.88. Kristen Torres was the second Saint to finish, recording a time of 15:54.66.
Serenity Williams completed the course in 18:04.09, followed by Claudia Lopez at 18:15.57. Evee Rodriguez rounded out OLLU’s scoring five with a time of 18:53.19, while Norma Ramos finished in 18:54.88.
Texas State captured the women’s team championship with 31 points, narrowly edging Incarnate Word, which finished second with 35 points. Trinity University placed third with 65 points, followed by UTSA, Blinn College and Texas Lutheran.
The UIW Twilight Meet provided the Saints with an early-season opportunity to compete against a challenging field and establish a foundation as both programs continue their cross country seasons.
WHITE LAKE, Mich. (Aug. 31, 2026) – All three RRAC Volleyball Players of the Week are repeat winners from last week: LSU Shreveport’s Farah Helmy as Setter of the Week; Texas A&M Texarkana’s Lauren Herz as Defender of the Week; and Our Lady of the Lake’s (Texas) Alissa Gregory-Obiedo as Attacker of the Week. This is the second round of weekly awards for Aug. 24-30.
RRAC VOLLEYBALL SETTER OF THE WEEK – FARAH HELMY, LSU SHREVEPORT
LSUS senior setter Farah Helmy guided her team to 3-of-4 wins last week. In the Pilots’ 3-2 loss to Campbellsville (Ky.), she added 47 assists, two aces, 10 digs, and five blocks. Helmy led the team’s 3-2 win over Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) by tallying 35 assists, four aces, and 14 digs. The Pilots blanked Union Commonwealth (Ky.) and Kentucky Christian, and Helmy totaled 35 assists, two aces, and seven digs.
Helmy is a native of Cairo, Egypt, and a transfer from Oral Roberts University (Okla.).
This early in the season, she has already accumulated 194 assists to lead the conference. The Pilots are 4-3 overall.
Additional RRAC Volleyball Setter of the Week nominees: Emma Cother from Louisiana Christian, Ashlet Figueroa from Southwest (N.M.), Arianna Moreno from OLLU, Ashley Rhame from A&M-Texarkana
RRAC VOLLEYBALL DEFENDER OF THE WEEK – LAUREN HERZ, TEXAS A&M-TEXARKANA
A&M-Texarkana senior libero Lauren Herz played in all four of the Eagles’ matches last weekend, anchoring the back row as libero. She tallied 70 digs (4.38 per set) and had a .934 reception percentage. Herz also recorded four service aces and 18 assists. The Eagles, despite going 0-4 on the weekend, challenged top competitors as two of their losses came from nationally recognized teams, including NAIA No. 7 McPherson College (Kan.).
Hertz is in her second season with the Eagles. She is a native of Mapleton, Ill. Hertz is third this early in the season in digs with 117 and is second in digs/set at 4.88.
The Eagles are 1-6 overall.
Additional RRAC Volleyball Defender of the Week nominees: Nicole Bir from OLLU, Vivien Brouillette from LCU, Graciela Collazo from USW, Zamariya Lyons from LSUS
RRAC VOLLEYBALL ATTACKER OF THE WEEK – ALISSA GREGORY-OBIEDO, OUR LADY OF THE LAKE
OLLU junior outside hitter Alissa Gregory-Obiedo guided the Saints to two wins and two losses. In their 3-0 victory over Texas Wesleyan and 3-2 win over Evangel (No.), she tallied 25 kills, three blocks, and 23 digs. Total for the week for Gregory-Obiedo is 46 kills, a .146 hitting percentage, five aces, 50 digs, and six blocks.
Gregory-Obiedo leads the conference in kills with 129 and in service aces with 13. She is a San Antonio native and graduated from Harlan High School.
The Saints are 4-8 overall.
Additional RRAC Attacker of the Week nominees: Holly Rowe from LCU, Zamariya Lyons from LSUS, Aylani Washington from USW, Lesley Sanchez from TAMUT
RRAC Notebook
Setter of the Week nominees
LCU senior setter Emma Cother tallied 76 assists and 39 digs last week in her team’s 3-1 loss to Dillard (La.), 3-0 loss to Southern University of New Orleans, and 3-0 loss to Loyola (La.), and victory over Dillard (La.), 3-2.
USW freshman setter Ashlet Figueroa had 41 assists and six aces in her team’s victories over Texas College, 3-2, 3-0.
OLLU senior setter Arianna Moreno logged 78 assists, six aces, and 23 digs in her team’s 3-0 loss to McPherson (Kan.), 3-0 victory over Texas Wesleyan, 3-2 win over Evangel (Mo.), and 3-2 loss to Nelson (Texas).
A&M Texarkana sophomore setter Ashley Rhame played in all four matches for the Eagles and tallied 69 assists (avg. 4.3 a set), recorded 35 digs, and had two service aces. The Eagles, despite going 0-4 on the weekend, challenged top competitors as two of their losses came from nationally recognized teams, including No. 7 McPherson (Kan.).
Defender of the Week nominees
LCU freshman outside hitter Vivien Broullette contributed 12 blocks in her team’s three losses and two wins.
USW junior Graciela Collazo guided her team to two victories over Texas College. She logged three assists and 18 digs.
LSUS junior middle blocker Zamariya Lyons led her team to a 3-2 victory over Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), a 3-0 win over Union Commonwealth (Ky.), and a 3-0 victory over Kentucky Christian. The Pilots fell to Campbellsville, 3-2.
OLLU junior middle blocker Nicole Bir totaled 14 blocks last week.
Attacker of the Week nominees
LCU outside hitter Holly Rowe added 11 blocks last week.
LSUS’ Lyons recorded 34 kills for a hitting percentage of .351 and 12 total blocks last week.
USW freshman Aylani Washington made a difference each time she went into the game. This was her first collegiate match ever.
TAMUT freshman Lesly Sanchez played in three of the Eagles’ four matches this weekend. She recorded 22 kills with a hitting percentage of .093. Sanchez was most impressive from beyond the service line as she recorded six aces.
Waxahachie, Texas- Our Lady of the Lake University volleyball battled through two five-set matches on Day Two of tournament action Saturday, earning a dramatic victory over Evangel University before falling to Nelson University in a tightly contested finale.
The Saints opened the day with a 3-2 comeback victory over Evangel, overcoming a slow start to win by set scores of 13-25, 29-27, 18-25, 25-23 and 15-11. OLLU responded after dropping the opening set and later falling behind 2-1, winning the final two sets to secure the hard-fought victory.
Ashya Thompson led the Saints offensively against Evangel, recording 17 kills on 39 attacks while hitting .359. Alissa Gregory-Obiedo added 16 kills, while Cienna Turner finished with 13 kills and Charlotte Hawkins contributed 11. Gregory-Obiedo also recorded 17.5 points, while Bailey Scott added 10 kills across the two matches of the day.
The Saints showed significant improvement as the match progressed. After hitting -.056 in the opening set, OLLU hit .269 in the second set and .375 in the decisive fifth set. The Saints finished the match with 62 kills on 208 attacks and a .159 hitting percentage.
OLLU carried that momentum into its second match, taking Nelson to another five-set battle. The Saints split the first four sets with Nelson, winning the second and fourth sets, but Nelson edged OLLU 15-13 in the fifth to claim a 3-2 victory by scores of 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 19-25 and 15-13.
Anais Velazquez Figueroa delivered her strongest offensive performance of the day in the second match, finishing with 17 kills on 35 attacks and a .343 hitting percentage. Gregory-Obiedo added 13 kills and hit .163, while Jocelyn Joyner also recorded 13 kills. Nicole Bir contributed five kills, and Bailey Scott finished with five kills.
The Saints were particularly effective in the fourth set, producing 17 kills while hitting .255 to force the decisive fifth set. Nelson, however, answered in the final frame, hitting .273 and holding OLLU to a .143 hitting percentage to close out the match.
Across the two matches, OLLU demonstrated its ability to compete in long, momentum-filled battles, playing 10 sets and twice pushing opponents to the limit. The Saints combined for 121 kills, 67 assists and 188 digs over the two matches while receiving notable offensive contributions from multiple players.
Gregory-Obiedo was a consistent presence throughout the day, totaling 29 kills between the two matches, while Velazquez Figueroa produced 30 kills and Thompson added 17 in the opening match. Joyner contributed 21 kills across the two contests.
Despite finishing Day Two with a 1-1 record, the Saints showed resilience throughout both matches, recovering from early deficits and forcing decisive fifth sets in each contest. OLLU now moves forward from the tournament with valuable experience gained from two competitive five-set matches.
OLLU Alum Gil Coronado Was the “Padrino” of Hispanic Heritage Month
Did you know that an Our Lady of the Lake University alumnus played a pivotal role in creating the national celebration now known as Hispanic Heritage Month?
Colonel Gil Coronado (BA 1975), a longtime San Antonian with deep roots on the city’s West Side, was widely known as the “Padrino,” or godfather, of Hispanic Heritage Month. While serving in Washington, D.C., Coronado worked with members of Congress to expand the original weeklong Hispanic heritage observance into a full month recognizing the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans. His efforts helped lead to legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
Coronado’s remarkable career was defined by service. After joining the U.S. Air Force as a teenager, he rose to the rank of colonel and served during the Vietnam War and in assignments around the world. His military honors included the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal. He later made history when President Bill Clinton appointed him the first Hispanic director of the U.S. Selective Service System.
Education was also central to Coronado’s story. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from OLLU in 1975, crediting the university with helping him advance professionally and personally. He remained a proud alumnus and supporter of OLLU throughout his life.
Coronado passed away in February 2026 at age 89, surrounded by his family. In May, OLLU posthumously awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during Spring Commencement. His surviving family received the degree in recognition of his extraordinary service to the nation, the West Side community, and the university.
“OLLU was the beginning of a new life for me,” Coronado said of the university’s impact on his personal and professional journey.
Coronado’s legacy lives on each year from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, when communities across the nation celebrate the Hispanic heritage he worked so hard to elevate.
Gil Coronado in front of the Sacred Heart Chapel steps.
Our Lady of the Lake University, in collaboration with The Art of Four Art Initiative, will present “SOMOS: A Tapestry of Heritage,” a Hispanic Heritage Month art exhibition celebrating the histories, identities and lived experiences that shape Hispanic and Latino culture.
The free exhibition opens Thursday, Sept. 17, and will remain on display through Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in the Main Building third-floor common hallway. It will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“SOMOS” features established and emerging artists of Mexican, Cuban, Honduran and Puerto Rican heritage, alongside students from OLLU’s art program. The intergenerational exhibition includes a father and daughter exhibiting their work, highlighting how culture, storytelling and artistic expression can be shared across generations.
Through a range of media, the works explore culture, identity, resilience, memory and belonging. Curated by Maria M. Williams, founder and cultural strategist of The Art of Four Art Initiative, the exhibition creates space for artists to share their cultures authentically and on their own terms.
“Our stories matter, and the way we choose to tell those stories matters,” Williams said. “Every artist brings a different experience, a different history, and a different perspective, and all of those stories belong in the tapestry of our heritage.”
The OLLU School of Business and Leadership is proud to announce that Christina Delgado, a Finance major and member of OLLU’s Delta Lambda Chapter of Delta Mu Delta, has received the prestigious Past Presidents’ Award from the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business.
The national award recognizes Delgado’s academic achievement, leadership and promise as an emerging business professional. Delta Mu Delta named Delgado among its 2026 scholarship award recipients, and the Past Presidents’ Award includes a $2,000 scholarship.
National Recognition
Delta Mu Delta is an international business honor society that recognizes high-achieving students in business programs. At OLLU, induction into the society recognizes students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, integrity and dedication to advancing the business profession.
Recipients of Delta Mu Delta scholarship awards are evaluated on scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and character or ethical behavior. Delgado’s selection for the Past Presidents’ Award reflects her exceptional work as a Finance student and the leadership potential she brings to the field of business.
Celebrating Excellence
As a member of the Delta Lambda Chapter, Delgado represents the academic distinction and professional commitment fostered by OLLU’s School of Business and Leadership.
Please join the School of Business and Leadership in congratulating Christina on this well-deserved national honor.
Two OLLU Ronald E. McNair Scholars have reached an important milestone in their academic journeys: Princess Pompa and Gabriela Guadarrama, members of the 2025 Summer Research Institute cohort, have had their undergraduate research accepted for publication in the 2026 McNair National Research Journal.
Gabriela GudarramaPrincess Pompa and Dr. Leda BarnettPrincess Pompa
The peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal highlights faculty-supervised scholarship by current McNair Scholars and recent program alumni from across the country.
Research With Impact
As McNair Scholars, Pompa and Guadarrama conducted faculty-mentored research connected to their academic and professional interests. After presenting their projects during the 2025 Summer Research Institute, both scholars continued refining their manuscripts, responding to feedback and completing revisions throughout the publication process.
Their work was accepted for publication on Sept. 7, 2026, demonstrating the persistence and scholarly engagement that extend well beyond the summer research experience.
Princess Pompa, a Spring 2026 graduate, completed her research under the mentorship of Leda Barnett, Ph.D., of OLLU’s Department of Political Science. Her study examined democratic erosion in the United States between 2010 and 2024 through a national-level democratic stress test.
Pompa evaluated six indicators of democratic stability: Rule of Law, Electoral Process, Media Freedom, Internet Freedom, Fragmented Elites and Forbearance. Her findings identified gradual declines across several measures while also pointing to areas that suggest the potential for democratic resilience and recovery.
Exploring Belonging in Teaching
Gabriela Guadarrama, who anticipates graduating in Spring 2028, is pursuing an Interdisciplinary Studies degree with EC–6 Bilingual and ESL certification. Under the mentorship of Cindy Peña, Ph.D., of the Department of English at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México–San Antonio, Guadarrama conducted the study, “The Role of BESO in Fostering Identity and Persistence Among Bilingual Pre-Service Teachers.”
Her research explored the experiences of Latina pre-service bilingual educators and examined how the Bilingual Education Student Organization, or BESO, can promote identity, belonging and persistence within teacher-preparation programs.
Celebrating Scholarship
This accomplishment reflects the power of undergraduate research, sustained mentorship and student determination at OLLU. The McNair Scholars Program prepares eligible students for graduate study and doctoral education, while supporting research experiences that help scholars contribute to larger academic conversations.
The McNair Scholars Program congratulates Pompa and Guadarrama on becoming published researchers and recognizes Dr. Barnett and Dr. Peña for their guidance and support throughout the scholars’ research journeys.
This summer, OLLU senior Ruby Rangel took her passion for chemistry and environmental sustainability from San Antonio to Binghamton, New York, where she explored how recycled batteries can help build a more sustainable energy future.
Researching a Better Future
Rangel, a Chemistry major with a minor in Environmental Science and Sustainability and a Cohort 1 TExAS FAST Scholar, was selected for a highly competitive 10-week Research Experiences for Undergraduates, or REU, program at Binghamton University.
REU programs give undergraduate students an opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on active scientific research projects while gaining experience in laboratory methods, professional networking, graduate-school preparation and the day-to-day work of a scientist. The programs also provide students with financial support and housing, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in research and contribute to efforts that address real-world challenges.
Sustainable Energy Focus
Working in the laboratory of Binghamton University with Assistant Professor Xiaotu Ma, Ph.D., Rangel spent the summer studying ways to improve the performance of recycled batteries.
Her work focused on learning how recycled batteries can be modified so they operate as efficiently as conventional batteries. The experience directly connected with Rangel’s interest in applying chemistry to environmental challenges and seeking sustainable responses to the growing demand for energy.
By examining ways to extend the usefulness of battery materials, Rangel’s research explored a key question for the future of renewable energy: How can scientists make energy-storage technology more effective while reducing waste and reliance on newly extracted materials?
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For Rangel, the Binghamton REU offered more than a summer away from campus. It was an opportunity to test-drive a career as a scientist, build laboratory skills and see firsthand how chemistry can support innovative solutions to global environmental concerns.
Her experience also reflects the ways OLLU students are expanding their learning beyond the classroom—bringing their academic preparation, curiosity and commitment to service into research settings across the country.
Stay tuned for more stories highlighting summer opportunities and research experiences from the OLLU Department of Math and Science through its YouTube channel.
As part of OLLU’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a clean, welcoming and well-cared-for campus environment, we invite you to share feedback about housekeeping services across the university.
Your input will help us better understand your experience with the cleanliness and upkeep of campus facilities, identify areas for improvement and ensure our housekeeping services continue to meet the needs and expectations of students, faculty and staff.
Please take a few minutes to complete the OLLU Housekeeping Services Survey:
The survey also seeks feedback about related campus services, including custodial, grounds, and facilities maintenance, and should take only a few minutes to complete.
We appreciate your time and candid feedback. Your responses will help inform continued efforts to improve housekeeping services and the overall campus environment.
Thank you for helping keep OLLU a clean, welcoming place to learn, work and serve.
Our Lady of the Lake University’s Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) Program has earned initial accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a significant milestone that affirms the quality, rigor and professional standards of OLLU’s counselor-preparation programs.
Following a comprehensive accreditation review that spanned two years, CACREP’s Board of Directors granted initial accreditation to all three MAC Program specializations for a full eight-year term, extending through Oct. 31, 2034:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, M.A.
School Counseling, M.A.
A Milestone for Students and Alumni
CACREP accreditation provides current and prospective students with the assurance that their counselor preparation is grounded in nationally recognized professional standards. CACREP accredits counseling programs and specialized practice areas at colleges and universities across the United States.
The accreditation also brings important recognition to recent MAC Program alumni. CACREP has granted retroactive recognition to MAC Program graduates as alumni of a CACREP-accredited counseling program beginning July 16, 2024. Graduates from Summer 2024 through Summer 2034 will be recognized as graduates of a CACREP-accredited program.
A Shared Achievement
This accreditation provides meaningful external affirmation of the strength of OLLU’s counselor-preparation programs and reflects the dedication of the faculty, staff, university leadership, students, alumni and community partners who contributed to the program’s development and continuous improvement.
The Counseling Department extends its gratitude and congratulations to everyone who played a role in this achievement. The accreditation marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for counselor education at OLLU.
For more information about CACREP, visit cacrep.org. For information about OLLU’s counseling programs and annual reports, visit the program website and select Forms and Resources.
