Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado State University Pueblo’s Yasmine Hernandez and Regis’ Nick Mootz are the 2021-22 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Woman and Man of the Year, respectively, the league announced Thursday. RMAC Man and Woman of the Year awards are selected by the league’s awards committee.
 
Hernandez claims the league’s Woman of the Year honor after a stellar season for the ThunderWolves in which she earned two national championships, one with the Pack’s indoor distance medley relay squad and one in the outdoor 1,500-meter event. She was a force on the track for CSU Pueblo and closed out a decorated career as a middle-distance and long-distance competitor within the RMAC.
 
"This is such an honor,” Hernandez said. “Coming out of high school, my abilities were nothing special but because of everyone who sacrificed to give me opportunities and helped push me over the past five years, I have been able to accomplish things I never thought possible. I am so thankful for all my friends, family and coaches who always believed I could be great even at times I did not. I am forever grateful to have represented and been a part of the Pack family."
 
After leaving an indelible mark on the ThunderWolves’ running program, she closes out her career with multiple all-conference awards and various other RMAC honors. At CSU Pueblo, Hernandez played a key role in helping the Pack become nationally recognized track and cross country programs, both of which are now consistently ranked among regional and national polls.
 
“It was a phenomenal year for Yas,” said Matt Morris, head coach of CSU Pueblo’s cross country and track and field. “It was just an unbelievable fairytale ending and was a testament to her dedication and determination.”
 
A native of Johnstown, Colo., Hernandez claims one of the league’s highest honors through her efforts on and off of the track. In addition to her national championships, Hernandez also volunteered her time in a variety of avenues, including coaching and mentoring elementary and middle school students. She was also instrumental in hosting a Suicide Awareness Campaign and Virtual Walk.
 
"It has been an honor and privilege watching Yasmine compete in cross country and track and field,” said Dr. Paul Plinske, CSU Pueblo Athletic Director. “Her work ethic, focus and unrelenting determination are unmatched as she strives for excellence in all she does. She is a special individual who has made a tremendous impact on our campus and community. We are very proud of Yasmine and forever grateful that she has been a member of the Pack."
 
Mootz earns the RMAC Man of the Year award after closing the book on an impressive career with the Regis men’s soccer program. He captained the Rangers from the backline during his junior and senior seasons and helped his squad claim a first-round upset in the 2021 RMAC Tournament.
 
“Regis has provided me a home to develop and practice invaluable skills I will carry into my life,” Mootz said of his time on the Regis campus.
 
Throughout his Regis career, Mootz was a three-time RMAC All-Academic selection, maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average as a biology major with an emphasis in genetics and a minor in chemistry. In addition to his responsibilities to the Rangers on the pitch, the Chandler, Ariz., native was an active member of Regis’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), serving as an assistant for a research team that investigates genetic changes in methamphetamine use following rehabilitative exercise. Mootz also served as an elderly companion and emergency vigil volunteer with Brookdale Hospice to provide comfort for those near end of life. Additionally, he performed an internship at the Center for Surgical Innovation at UC Anschutz, preparing cadaver labs for surgical fellows.
 
“You would be hard-fought to find another student-athlete like Nick,” Regis head coach Taylor Diem said of Mootz, who flourished as a three-year student-athlete for the Rangers. “Nick was a leader on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”
 
The RMAC Man and Woman of the Year awards honor graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their college career in areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, community service and leadership.
 
RMAC Man of the Year Honorable Mention:
Nate Miller, CSU Pueblo; Laolu Oke, MSU Denver; Kyante Christian, South Dakota Mines; Afewerki Zeru, UCCS; Cade Michael, Western Colorado.
 
RMAC Woman of the Year Honorable Mention:
Zoe Baker, Colorado School of Mines; Avaline Lai, MSU Denver; Ryan Weiss, South Dakota Mines; Layla Almasri, UCCS; Casey Ober, Western Colorado.