Golf
Paul McConnell
Paul McConnell made the most of his senior year, especially the last few rounds. The Dallas native claimed individual medalist honors at the Western Athletic Conference Championship last spring in Las Vegas to qualify for an NCAA Regional. “It felt awesome winning conference because it was my last tournament with my teammates,” he says. “My putting and chipping improved drastically thanks to coach [Jay] Rees. I wouldn’t be in the place I am now without my coaches and teammates pushing me to improve.” In addition to the WAC title in the University’s only year in the league, McConnell took the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic during the 2011-12 season and the San Diego Intercollegiate in 2010-11. He also was part of the Mavericks’ 2011 Southland Conference championship team. He won the WAC in dramatic fashion, carding a 69 in the final round to jump from ninth place. He was the only golfer among 50 to break 70 the last day. Though his college career is over, McConnell isn’t done with UT Arlington. The interdisciplinary studies major (economics, marketing, and sociology) is set to graduate in spring 2014.
