JONESBORO, Ark. (5/16/16) – A First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection, Arkansas State women's golfer Aracelly Jimenez Rios was announced Monday as the league's Freshman of the Year after completing the 2015-16 season with five top-10 finishes and the conference's fourth lowest stroke average.

The Merida, Mexico, native is the first student-athlete in the history of the Red Wolves' women's golf program to earn Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year honors. Additionally, she is the first A-State player to earn All-Sun Belt recognition since Abi Laker in 2013.

“This is an incredible honor for Aracelly, and she has worked extremely hard this year to earn this award,” said A-State head coach M.J. Desbiens Shaw. “She is a great student and gives her all at practice and during competitions. She is already a role model at such a young age. I look forward to seeing what her next three years with our program will bring.”

Jimenez Rios compiled a team-best 75.53 stroke average this season, which is also the best in in school history for a single season. She concluded her freshman campaign with a sixth-place showing at the Sun Belt Conference Championship.

Ranked 10th in the Sun Belt by GolfStat.com, Jimenez Rios claimed medalist honors at the Lady Red Wolves Classic last fall and collected a top-25 finish in five of A-State's last six tournaments. She posted a season-low round of 70 two different times and recorded her best three-round score of 216 at the Lady Red Wolves Classic.

Led by Jimenez Rios, an All-Sun Belt Conference Tournament selection as well, the Red Wolves placed fifth at the league championships for their best finish at the tourney since taking fourth in 2004.