Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

from AStater Winter 2021

by Adams State University

Read about women participating in Adams State athletics on

Athletic Hall of Fame 2021 Inductees

Katelyn Lovato ’14 • Softball Larry Mortensen’88, ’93 • Men’s basketball coach and athletic director Melanie Schiele ’95 • Volleyball Ray Ramsey Sr. • Football Amber Klein ’03 • Cross country and track and field Chris Holman • Cross country and track and field Shane Palmer • Wrestling Stephen Gitten • Track and field Victoria Martinez • Cross country and track and field William Rakow ’69 • Football 1990 & 1992 Indoor Track and Field Teams and 1990 & 1992 Wrestling Teams

Dianne Lee • Business Manager and Senior Woman Administrator honored as the Ted and Janet Morrison Special Citation recepient, pictured right

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Athletics Recap

Grizzlies Football

ASU ended the season with a 1-10 overall record and 1-8 in the RMAC. They finished ninth in the conference.

Women’s and Men’s Cross Country Volleyball

ASU ended the season 11-16 overall, 7-11 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Grizzlies missed out on the RMAC Tournament by virtue of the third tiebreaker with New Mexico Highlands.

For the 19th time in school history and second straight time, the Adams State women captured the NCAA crown while the men finished in second. Adams State snagged a meet-high six All-America honors at the Division II National Cross Country Championships in Saint Leo, Florida. The Grizzlies placed four athletes in the top 15 – Brianna Robles (6th), Franziska Althaus (10th), Precious Robinson (11th) and Morgan Hykes (15th). Remaining All-America athletes for the Grizzlies are Nicole Lawrence (21st) and Fiona Hawkins (34th).

Visit adams.edu/athletics to keep posted on the latest Grizzly Athletic events.

The 2021 men’s soccer team presented President Cheryl D. Lovell with a signed ball on October 5. Pictured, left to right, Head Coach Brett Bently, graduate player Benji Rogers, freshman Thomas Waggener, junior Tanner Marsh, and sophomore Hayden Noll.

Dianne Lee was instrumental in Adams State’s success during her time as the Business Manager and Senior Woman Administrator. Her ability to keep the Athletic Department running was unmatched. She was also pivotal in growing the Grizzly Club and helping Adams State as they hosted two NCAA Division II National Championships.

Priscila Zapata-Chavez, Center High School, is the 2021 Spud Bowl Queen.

The 2020 Adams State Spud Bowl Queen, Autumn Yocom, during the 2021 Spud Bowl halftime show. Due to COVID restrictions, Yocum did not receive public recognition when she was selected by the judges in 2020.

The 75th Spud Bowl Queen is Priscila Zapata-Chavez

Priscila Zapata-Chavez, a senior at Center High School, was crowned the 75th Spud Bowl Queen during halftime of the Adams State University vs. Mesa State football game on November 6, 2021. Autumn Yocom, a 2020 Sargent High School graduate and current Adams State student, also received recognition at halftime. Due to COVID restrictions, Yocom’s crowning as the 2020 Spud Bowl Queen was not public.

The Spud Bowl tradition began in 1946, when the potato farmers in the Valley were asked to contribute sacks of spuds to the University, which, in turn, were converted into cash to supplement the athletic program. The tradition and spirit have continued, and Spud Bowl remains a highlight of each football season.

Each year, San Luis Valley high schools are asked to nominate a senior candidate for Spud Bowl. The candidates are interviewed by a panel of judges, and the winner is selected and announced at halftime of the football game. The Colorado Potato Administrative Committee and Adams State University Foundation award scholarships of $1,000 to each contestant to attend Adams State and $2,000 to the Spud Bowl Queen.

Judges for this year’s contest were Roger Mix and Matt Seger, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, and Maria Valdez, Adams State accounting technician II.

The 2021 Adams State Spud Bowl candidates included, left to right, front row, Jessa Christensen, Centauri High School; Kyla Davis, Sargent High School; Aracely Pedro-Pablo, Alamosa High School; Hannah Trujillo, Del Norte High School; Camille Rawinski, Monte Vista High School; back row, Marissa Chacon, Antonito High School; Priscila Zapata-Chavez, Center High School; Dailin Estrada, Sanford High School; Sofia Minchaca, Sierra Grande High School; and JaeLea Maestas, Centennial High School. Not pictured, Yessenia Vera, Mountain Valley High School, and Kamryn Rogers, Sangre de Cristo High School.

< The Adams State 2020 Spud Bowl Queen, Autumn Yocom, congratulates the 2021 Spud Bowl Queen, Priscila Zapata-Chavez, during halftime of the Adams State vs Mesa State football game on November 6.