UTEP head soccer coach Kevin Cross announced that six student-athletes have signed letters of intent to play soccer for the Miners.

Rachel Marinch, Jennifer Persons, Tameka Sumter, Neresa Taylor, Lauree Thibaut and Chelsea Winbush have all signed offers of athletic financial aid.

“We are very excited about this recruiting class and feel it is one of our strongest classes in program history,” Cross said. “We hope that they can make an immediate impact and contribute to our success.”

The class features five native Texans and a junior college transfer who hails from California. Additionally, there are three forwards, a midfielder, a defender and a goalkeeper in the group.

Rachel Marinch
Forward
Houston, Texas (Langham Creek HS)

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach John Smithson at Langham Creek HS ... graduated early Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 grade point average ... member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and served as the president of S.A.V.E. (Saving Animals through Volunteer Efforts).
Club: Played for the Houston Stars of the WPSL, coached by Luis Labatista, the Houstonians, coached by Josh Rivas ... also played for the OPD State team that was coached by David Deverteuil ... in the spring and fall of 2004, she played for the Challengers and was the leading scorer in the Women’s Premier Division ... in 1998 and 2000-02, she was the only female to play in the South Texas Boys Premier Division (Hurricanes and Houstonians.
Personal: Full name is Rachel Marinch ... daughter of Michael Marinch and Sheri Awbrey ... has one sister, Jolene Awbrey (21).

Jennifer Persons
Goalkeeper
Newberry Park, Calif. (Cochise College)

Prior to UTEP: Two-year starter for coaches Kenny Dale and Chris Birmingham at Cochise College in Douglas, Ariz. ... team MVP as a freshman and a two-time ACCAA Goalkeeper of the Week honoree ... named a scholar-athlete.
High School: Named Most Inspirational Player ... also a scholar-athlete.
Club: Played for the Apex Soccer Club and coach Creighton Venhorn.
Personal: Full name is Jennifer Lee Persons ... born on Aug. 1, 1985 ... daughter of Kevin Persons and Bonnie Brock ... has a sister (Erika) and four brothers (Austin, Chris, Graham and Taylor).

Tameka Sumter
Forward
San Antonio, Texas (O’Connor HS)

High School: Three-year starter for coach Scott Stone at Sandra Day O’Connor HS ... entering her senior year as the team captain for the second consecutive season ... scored 83 goals in her high school career, including 38 as a junior last year ... named team MVP and best offensive player as a junior ... first-team all-city as a junior after first-team all-district honors as a freshman and sophomore ... named Newcomer of the Year for the greater San Antonio are following her freshman season ...
Club: Has played for the 88 Classics Elite squad and coach Mike Alderson for the past five years ... player of the year in 2001-02 and team captain the last two years.
Personal: Full name is Tameka R. Sumter ... born on May 13, 1988 ... daughter of Paula Sumter and Robert Sumter ... has two brothers, Anton and Kris.

Neresa Taylor
Midfield/Forward
Beaumont, Texas (Monsignor Kelly HS)

Prior to UTEP: Three-year letterwinner for Roger McNonterat Monsignor Kelly HS ... scored 15 goals as a junior ... MKHS finished second at the PNG Tournament ... also ran track and finished fourth in the state in the 100 meters.
Club: Was an Olympic Development Program team member and played on the Spindletop Select for coach Jorge Cruz ... scored 13 goals in 2005.
Personal: Full name is Neresa Toya Taylor ... born on Oct. 15, 1987 ... daughter of Luther and the late Patricia Taylor ... has one brother, Anthony ... learned to play soccer when she was five-years-old by playing against her brother.

Lauree Thibaut
Forward
Beaumont, Texas (West Brook HS)

High School: Three-year starter for coach Rachel Scoggins at West Brook HS who is a team captain as a senior ... 2006 PNG Tournament MVP ... scored 64 points on 26 goals and 12 assists as a junior ... was named first-team All-District 22-5A in 2005 after a consecutive second-team All-District 22-5A nods in ninth and tenth grade ... named Golden Triangle high school soccer MVP of the Year in 2005 ... team MVP as a sophomore and Golden Triangle high school soccer Newcomer of the Year as a freshman ... also played volleyball and ran track and cross country. ... 2003 District 22-5A 800m champion.
Club: Has played for the Texas Heat Wave 88 Soccer Club since 2004 ... member of the 2005 ODP South Texas State Pool team ... played for the Beaumont Youth Soccer Super Division II from 2002-04, the Spindletop Select Division I team from 1998-2001 and the Beaumont Youth Soccer team from 1993-97.
Personal: Full name is Laureen M. Thibaut ... born on April 11, 1988 in Texas City, Texas ... daughter of Jim and Linda Thibaut ... has three sisters Jeannine (28), Christine (26) and Kathleen (21) ... Jeannine played soccer at McNeese State ... her family moved to Beaumont when she was two-years-old ... has been playing club soccer since she was five.

Chelsea Winbush
Defender/Forward
Allen, Texas (Allen HS)

High School: Four-year letterwinner for coaches Karen Hunnicutt (sophomore-senior) and Mike Wiersma (freshman) at Allen HS ... 2005 team MVP, All-Region team for District 8-5A and NSCAA All-Region team ... MVP of the 2005 Lady Eagles Winter Classic and the 2006 Duncanville Kick-off Classic.
Club: Played most recently for the Sting Soccer Club’s 88 Royal squad, which is coached by Eric Dade ... also played for the Longhorns 89 Girls and the 89 NSC Heat II ... member of the 2005 ODP 88 Girls North Texas Spring State Pool team, the 2004 ODP 88 Girls North Texas State team and the 2001 ODP 89 Girls North Texas All-Region team.
Personal: Full name is Chelsea Winbush ... born on Oct. 5, 1988 ... daughter of Thale and Joyce Winbush ... has a sister, Akeila (20) ... began playing recreational soccer at age seven and competitive at age 10.