RICHARDSON, TX (01.30.20) - UT Dallas seniors Mason Anderson and Caroline Shecterle were two of six student-athletes recognized on Friday as the American Southwest Conference announced its Distinguished Scholar-Athletes of the Year for its fall sports.

UTD was the only member institution to have multiple student-athletes honored as Anderson became just the second Comet men's soccer player to be honored and Shecterle just the second-ever UTD volleyball player to be recognized.

A native of Frisco, Anderson became the first-ever two-time All-American in Comet men's soccer history, claiming Third Team honors from the United Soccer Coaches for the second consecutive season. Anderson picked up first team All-ASC honors this fall for the third straight year and was tabbed the league's Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He led one of the top defenses in the ASC this past fall, boasting a league-best 0.76 team goals against average along with an ASC-high 11 shutouts this season. Anderson also tallied five goals this fall for the Comets, adding one assist for 11 points. He took 20 shots, 11 on frame, with one game-winner. The Comets posted a 17-4-2 overall record in 2019, setting a program record for wins in a season, and claimed both the ASC's regular-season and championship title in 2019. Anderson has a 3.40 GPA in Biology. He joins former Comet San Konstanty as the only other UTD men's soccer player to claim the distinction. Konstany was honored after the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Shecterle, a native of Pearland, was tabbed first team All-ASC East for the third consecutive season after leading the Comets to a divisional crown and the ASC Championship title this past fall. A three-time All-ASC performer, she was also named the ASC East Setter of the Year this season, averaging 6.35 assists per set in UTD's 6-2 offense. An honorable mention al-region selection by the AVCA, Shecterle was a four-time ASC East Offensive Player of the Week selection this past fall for the Comets. UTD posted a 24-5 overall record this past fall, claiming their fifth consecutive ASC East crown with a 13-1 league mark. Shecterle has a 3.97 GPA in Supply Chain Management. She joins former Comet Michelle Toro as the only other UTD volleyball player to be honored. Like Konstanty, Toro was also recognized after the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Other fall honorees for 2019 were East Texas Baptist senior Brian Baca (football), Hardin-Simmons senior Kendell Groom (women's soccer), Ozarks senior MichaelHarris (men's cross country) and LeTourneau senior Alexis Segura (women's cross country).

Three other UTD student-athletes were named to the ASC's Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams. Senior Gina Fossati (women's cross country), senior Megan Theros (women's soccer) and junior Andres Uriegas (men's cross country) were among those recognized.

The Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams recognize student-athletes who achieve a high level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the sports information directors from the 12 ASC member institutions and two affiliate members select a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in each sport.

Overall, 65 student-athletes were named to the American Southwest Conference 2019 Fall Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams.