Academic Successes
Southern Arkansas University student-athletes excelled both on and off the field in Fall 2024, achieving a department-wide GPA of 3.27—the highest in four semesters. A total of 279 student-athletes recorded a 3.0 or better, with 78 earning perfect 4.0s. Nearly every sport posted a 3.0+ GPA. Fall sports competing in the Great American Conference (GAC), including M/W cross country, volleyball, and football, earned 34 GAC Honor Roll spots. Additionally, three student-athletes—Isla Olivas (Volleyball), Cole Williams (Football), and Bennett Castleberry (Football)—were named GAC Elite Scholar Athletes for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Mulerider Football
Under third-year Head Coach Brad Smiley, SAU Football posted back-to-back nine-win seasons (2023: 10-2 | 2024: 9-2) for the first time since joining the NCAA in 1996-97. The team swept all six Oklahoma programs and three of five in-state rivals for the second straight year. SAU dominated GAC postseason honors with 17 All-GAC selections, led by quarterback Judd Barton, who was named GAC Offensive Player of the Year—the first in program history.
Barton led the conference in points responsible for (180 | 12th nationally) and ranked among the league’s top passers in efficiency (152.2 | 30th nationally), passing yards (2,350 | 25th nationally), and touchdowns (16). He was also a dual-threat, rushing for 589 yards and 13 touchdowns. First Team All-GAC selections included running backs Jariq Scales and Kadyn Roach, offensive lineman Thomas Bowman, and linebacker Colton Grier.
Mulerider Volleyball
In her third year at the helm, Head Coach Alli (O’Banion) Harrell led SAU Volleyball to a 12-12 overall record (6-10 GAC), finishing just three set wins short of back-to-back GAC Tournament appearances. The Muleriders leaned on 10 returning seniors, including 2023 All-GAC honorees Kayte Delong and Lauryn Moultrie.
Delong earned another All-GAC Honorable Mention alongside newcomer libero Sadie Kabisch, who ranked second in Division II for digs per set (6.42) and sixth in the GAC for total digs (533). Middle hitter Isla Olivas was a dominant defensive presence, ranking seventh in the league in blocks per set (0.90). With 10 seniors graduating, Harrell looks to reload the roster for 2025.
Mulerider Men’s Golf
SAU Men’s Golf had an up-and-down Fall, opening strong with a 3rd-place finish at the Northeastern State Men’s Classic, led by Blane Burk (-2). The team rebounded from a tough showing at the MSSU Fall Invite to place 2nd at the Battle of the Belt, where Alex Gerrard shot 213 (-3).
The Muleriders followed up with another 2nd-place finish at the Super Regional Preview, where Logan McDonald posted a team-best 206 (-7) to tie for fourth. The team closed out Fall with a 15th-place finish at the Tulsa Cup and will return to action Feb. 10-11 at the Houston Classic.
Mulerider Women’s Golf
SAU Women’s Golf saw significant improvement, finishing top ten in three of five Fall tournaments. The team placed 10th at the Regional Preview, where Emma Hester shot 150 (+6) to finish 18th. Freshman Brianna Chamoun led SAU to a 7th-place finish at the NSU Classic, placing 9th in a 107-golfer field with a score of 144 (+2).
She also led the team at the Central Oklahoma Regional Preview, where SAU tied for 11th out of 24 teams. The Muleriders’ strongest showing came at the Battle for the Belt (5th/12), where junior Aubrey Marx posted a team-best 224 (+8). The team will open Spring play at the Rattler Invitational on Feb. 24-25.
Mulerider Tennis
SAU Tennis capped off its Fall season at the GAC Individual Championships, adding four titles as Amelie Gindl, Josie Holderbach, Mathys Pinoit, and Maria Fiacan won their singles flights. The women’s team posted a stellar 60-24 singles record, with Gindl (16-2) leading the way, followed by Fiacan (10-2) and Roksana Kokocha (10-3).
The men finished 39-34 in singles, highlighted by Tim Fischer (10-4) and Jinsei Tajima (8-3). In doubles, SAU had four runner-up finishes, including pairs Neumann/Pasqual and Fischer/Pinoit. Gindl made history as the first Mulerider woman to compete at the prestigious ITA Cup, finishing 1-2 against the top Division II talent.
Mulerider Cross Country
SAU Cross Country concluded its season at the GAC Championships, where the women finished 7th in the 5k (1:41:01, 184 points) and the men finished 6th in the 8k (2:17:38, 172 points). Wesley Maxwell led the men, placing 27th with a time of 26:56.3.
