For immediate release:
Las Cruces, N.M. – New Mexico State linebacker Ross Conner and right-handed pitcher Kim Watson have been named the 2009 Athletics Council Outstanding Scholar Athletes. Conner and Watson are going to be formally honored with at the Spring Commencement, Saturday, May 9.
“This is a very special award that celebrates what it truly means to excel as a student-athlete,” Senior Woman Administrator Maria Roth said. “Kim and Ross are certainly great ambassadors for New Mexico State University and its athletic department as a whole. They serve as great role models for young people in the community and we are proud of their exceptional accomplishments. They both will be successful in whatever endeavors they wish to achieve in life.”
A Las Cruces, N.M. native, Conner competed in 12 games for the Aggies in 2008 and registered 18 tackles and a sack. In his first career start as an Aggie against Nebraska (Sept. 13), he recorded a season-high five tackles, had three more tackles against San Jose State (Nov. 18) and tallied a sack for a loss of seven yards when NM State faced Alcorn State (Oct. 4).
In six of the 12 games he played, Conner recorded at least two tackles. As a sophomore, Conner saw action in 12 games as a special team’s member and back-up linebacker. On the season, Conner tallied 18 tackles and one sack for a loss of seven yards. His best game came at Auburn (Sept. 22, 2008) when he recorded four tackles. Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Sept. 28, 2008), Conner grabbed two tackles. In all, he recorded six games with at least two tackles.
As a redshirt freshman, Conner played in 11 games. He recorded 12 tackles, seven solo and five assisted. Conner tallied one tackle for-a-loss of five yards and recorded his first career quarterback sack for a loss of five yards. Against Texas Southern (Sept. 16, 2007), he tallied a season-high four tackles. On the special teams, he competed in the kick-off coverage and kick-off return. In conjunction with his success on the field, Conner is a three-time Academic All-WAC selection and a three-time Crimson & White Society member.
Watson, the Aggies’ ace, has earned a plethora of awards during her four-year campaign for her achievements both on the field and in the classroom. Watson has chiseled her named onto multiple NM State all-time record lists. She owns the all-time strikeout record which she broke against San Jose State (April 10), and has now expanded her career total to 607 strikeouts. This places her ninth on the WAC’s all-time strikeout list.
The Spokane, Wash. native is only two wins away from topping the program’s all-time win record as she has registered 57 wins in her career. Watson has also tallied 135 career appearances, just six away from the all-time record. Throughout her four-year campaign, Watson has recorded 607 strikeouts, 15 shutouts and has an overall record of 57-48.
Additionally, Watson was named the 2009 WAC Pitcher of the Week for her impressive performances against SJSU. She was also a 2007 second team All-WAC honoree, earned a pair of 2007 WAC Athlete of the Week awards and was named to the 2008 Troy Cox All-Tournament Team.
In the classroom Watson is a three-time NFCA Academic All-American, a District VI All-Academic Team member and a three-time Academic All-WAC scholar.
Courtesy: New Mexico State University
