DALLAS, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl soccer senior
Mercy Mummert was named the 2024-25 American Southwest Conference Woman of the Year after a vote by the ASC council of senior woman administrators, announced by the conference office on Wednesday.
The annual conference awards, ASC Man and Woman of the Year honors is presented to a graduating student-athlete who has distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, community and campus service, and leadership. The Man and Woman of the Year awards are among the highest individual honors presented to a student in the American Southwest Conference.
Mummert is a senior defender for Cowgirl soccer and graduated with a 4.0 GPA with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Biology with minors in Exercise Science and Honors in Interdisciplinary Studies.
A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mummert was a five-time All-ASC First Team Selection, a five-time Academic All-ASC honoree, a three-time Academic All-American Selection and a four-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. She was also a two-time ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor recipient and the 2021 ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete for women's soccer. Mummert was selected to be a member of the 2025 USA D-3 women's soccer Brazil Tour. In 2023, she was named First Team United Soccer Coaches All-Region X and was on the ASC All-Tournament Team.
As a graduate senior at HSU in 2024, Mummert helped the Cowgirls to their third NCAA Tournament appearance and fourth ASC Championship of her career. In the 2024 season, Mummert led the Cowgirl defense backline as they held a .742 goals against average in 21 games with 12 shutouts.
Cowgirl head coach
Rusty Oglesby had this to say: "
Mercy Mummert exudes the very epitome of what Cowgirl soccer is truly about. She was the first player I met when I came on board as head coach, and her leadership was evident from day one. She led our team with humility and pride and always took time for any player in need, no matter the need or if she even had the time. She is selfless and made such a huge impact on me personally. Her legacy to the Cowgirl program and spirit will be felt by players for years to come. No one is more deserving of this award than Mercy!"
Mummert not only excelled on the field and in the classroom while enrolled at Hardin-Simmons, but also invested time and effort in her community. She helped kickstart "Grape Street Cares", selling shirts to raise money for Love and Care Ministries, raising enough in 2024 to give 29 kids meals on weekends for the entire school year. Mummert also organized community service with her soccer team through Love and Care Ministry, packing care packages and sorting donations. She has also volunteered with West Texas Rehab Center, Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation and Action Physical Therapy Rehab. Mummert was in the Julius Olsen Honors Program and was a member of the Pre-PT Club at HSU. She also volunteered in a Parkinson's Exercise Group and at Joni and Friends New Mexico Family Retreat. Mummert's leadership has also shined during her time at HSU. She was a three-time team captain, was a representative in SAAC for three-years and served as Vice President of SAAC in 2024. Mummert also participated in the Student Activities Board for four years, was an assistant coach at HSU's Kids Soccer Camps and Texas A&M's Kids Soccer Camps and was a Sting Soccer Club Little Stingers Coach.
Cowgirl assistant coach
Talin Rizo had this to say of Mummert: "Mercy exemplifies the essence of authentic leadership, grounded in profound humility and unwavering selflessness. She consistently prioritizes the needs of others, leading not from a desire for recognition but from a deep-rooted commitment to service and unity. Mercy dedicates her time, energy, and heart to those around her, inspiring through quiet strength and compassionate action. Her character radiates integrity, empathy, and an unshakeable sense of purpose. In every way, she personifies the ideas of Cowgirl Soccer- a servant-leader whose influence extends far beyond the field."
Mummert started all 87 games of her Cowgirl career through five seasons. She recorded a total of 7,215 minutes on the field and contributed to 55 shutouts. The Cowgirls went 67-11-10 for an .818 winning percentage during her tenure. In 2023, Mummert helped Hardin-Simmons to the NCAA Sweet 16 Round as she helped lead the Cowgirls defense to a .50 goals against average. She scored three goals from her defender spot in her career, and each was a game-winning goal. She finished her career with 16 assists for 22 total points.
Mummert played under three outstanding head coaches for Cowgirl soccer,
Rusty Oglesby, Lance Key, and Marcus Wood.
Lance Key had this to say about Mummert: "As Mercy's former coach and now as someone who's watched her grow into the woman God created her to be, I can honestly say Mercy is one of the most remarkable young women I've ever had the privilege to lead. She embodies Ecclesiastes 9:10—pouring her whole heart, soul, and strength into every moment, every relationship, and every opportunity. Her excellence on the field is undeniable, but it's her humility, faith, and the way she champions others that truly sets her apart. I'm incredibly proud of her—not just for what she's accomplished, but for who she is. Her life is a reflection of God's grace, and her impact will be felt and known long into the future."
Marcus Wood also had high praise for Mummert: "Mercy is a first class person, student, athlete and servant-leader. She is the perfect person to represent this prestigious award. She has been through so much adversity with her back injury but she never used her adversity as an excuse. She worked harder and gave more. Mercy is also remarkably humble and a hype person for all her teammates. She encourages and lifts others up. The world needs more
Mercy Mummert's. But, in my experience, she is a bit of a unicorn. Congratulations, Mercy! You deserve it. Keep being you and making the world a better place."
Mummert will be the American Southwest Conference representative for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. Slade Austin from ETBU tennis was named the ASC Man of the Year. In addition, Austin and Mummert advance as the ASC nominees for the region and national Division III Man and Woman of the Year awards to be selected by the Division III Commissioners Association and announced later this year.
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