News Releases 2010

The American Southwest Conference recently recognized LeTourneau University student athletes Christin Mickelboro and Spencer Rothluebber.  Mickelboro is the ASC East Division Softball Player of the Week for the week of March 8.  Rothluebber was named the ASC Golfer of the Week for the week of Feb. 25.

           

Mickelboro, a native of Longview, Texas, had a tremendous week. She went 14-for-17 with five home runs, three doubles and 13 RBIs over six games that included a school-record 3-1 showing at the ASC First Pitch Tournament in Farmers Branch, Texas. She set a tournament record with the five home runs, breaking the mark of four previous held by then UT-Tyler catcher/first baseman and current YellowJackets coach Kate Bell. Mickelboro also scored 10 runs, walked five times and was a perfect 3-for-3 on stolen bases.

 

Mickelboro majors in civil engineering because one day she wants to build a bridge. A graduate of Longview High School, she said she chose LETU because it was close to home. She began playing softball at the age of five and loved it and has been playing ever since. Her favorite place to be is on a softball field.

 

“Being a student athlete makes it really hard to keep up with work,” Mickelboro said, “but I feel I do a good job. Some teachers are really supportive and even ask me when the next game is so that they can come watch me play.”

 

Since Mickelboro has become a student at LETU, a lot has changed. She says that spiritual life has grown and she feels closer to God than ever before. Prayer is now a very important element in her life, whereas, before it wasn’t . She says she likes LETU because people share a common belief and you don’t have to be too careful what you say around others.

 

Currently, Mickelboro and her parents attend Life Point Church in Longview, Texas.

Rothluebber fired a 4-over-par 147 (76-71) to win the individual title at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Spring Invitational at Wildflower Country Club in Temple, Texas. Rothluebber rallied to a four-stroke victory at the event that was shortened to one day because of inclement weather. 

 

Rothluebber majors in business management and minors in marketing. He plans someday to be a manager for a professional golfer and own his own golf course. His attraction to LETU began when he was introduced to Duane Trogdon, chair of LETU’s Department of Kinesiology and former LETU golf coach.  His golf coach this year is Doug Smith, who sees great potential in Rothluebber as a skilled golfer.

 

“Spencer has true talent, and he is very skillful,” Smith said.  “He has the right mindset and he really does have true potential.” 

 

Initially, Rothluebber attended Coastal Carolina University, but transferred to LETU when his parents both began working on the LETU main campus.

 

“The hardest thing about being a student athlete is missing up to three days of school at a time,” Rothluebber said. “It’s tough, but I’m doing my best. I am always in the library trying to do well, but LeTourneau is challenging. Since I’ve been at LeTourneau my study habits have improved, so that helps a lot. I have also made a lot of good friendships. There are not a whole lot of bad influences on campus.”

 

Rothluebber says he is happiest when he is on the golf course. He began his golfing career in junior high when he decided he was tired of playing soccer. He hopes to one day golf professionally. Rothluebber and his family attend Grace Creek Church.