View the photo gallery of the evenings activities here.

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 19, 2024) – Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) proudly celebrated the unprecedented achievements of the 2024 NAIA World Series Champions - OLLU Softball – with a special event on Sunday, Sept. 14, in Mabee Gymnasium The Saints made history as the first team in OLLU's annals to clinch a national championship and the first to maintain the No. 1 ranking throughout an entire season.

Saints Athletics Announcer Mark Thomas emceed the event, and he began with an encapsulating video produced by Jacob Ramirez. After the video, Thomas introduced the 2024 national champions, including:

Student manager Marissa Camacho

No. 1:  Reanna Aguirre

No. 3: Celina Wilharm

No. 4: Madison Garza

No. 5: Lexie Escamilla

No. 6: Alana Benitez

No. 7: Cassandra Valdez

No. 8: Kristee Salas

No. 9: Bradi Hill

No. 11: Arianna Alejandro

No. 12: Laila Vega

No. 13: Natalie Rodriguez

No. 14: Ava Hernandez

No. 15: Emilia Salinas

No. 17: Valeria Vielma

No. 19: Marissa Bradley

No. 20: Alyssa Garcia

No. 21: Grace Ross

No. 22: Kayla Dreese

No. 23: Tania Rodriguez

No. 27: Eneli Garza

No. 30: Alyssa Flores

Assistant Coaches Gilbert Alvarado and Rebecca Duran presented the blessing of the food. During lunchtime, a video collage played in the background that included images from all season long, including photos of the World Series, the celebration, visits to the San Antonio City Council and the Bexar County Commissioner's Court, the lighting up of the Frost Building and City Council buildings downtown and the celebratory event held at the OLLU Softball Field complete with team members riding on S.A. Fire Department Trucks and Parade Floats.

The event restarted with two-time champion, proud alumna, and current Saints player Caitlin Terrazas, who spoke and presented the championship t-shirts from graduates to OLLU's incoming players from this year.

Athletic Director Tom Norris welcomed the audience and made a special presentation to Carabin Shaw Attorneys at Law, which sponsored the purchase of the rings.

Thomas encouraged the audience to view the proclamations from Texas State Senator from District 26 Jose Menendez, Bexar County Commissioner Peter Sakai and the Commissioner's Court and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, and the San Antonio City Council. These documents, framed and on display in the gym, were a testament to the shared pride and joy of the OLLU community, sponsors, local government representatives and supporters of OLLU Softball.

San Antonio District 4 Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, who represented District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo (who could not make the event), spoke to the team and congratulated them on their success. The councilwoman, who has been a ardent supporter of the team and all of athletics, is an Associate Professor of Marketing at OLLU.

After Athletic Director Tom Norris delivered a heartfelt speech, a poignant video showcased an emotional message from OLLU President Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez, which he shared on social media following the team's triumphant victory in the World Series.

Dr. Chávez made his way to the podium to congratulate the team and express his profound appreciation for all that they had accomplished.

Thomas welcomed to the podium Assistant Coach Jody Armijo, who guided the audience through seven special awards and recognitions

Armijo commented, "Before we present our team with their National Championship rings, we'd like to remind you of the seven-game UNDEFEATED postseason run, which culminated in OLLU's first-ever National Championship in Columbus, Georgia!"

He continued, "Game one was in the San Antonio Regional, and OLLU took a 50-3 record and their #1 national ranking into the contest with Cottey University. Four runs in the first inning and the first of six-postseason shutouts were the story of the 4-0 victory."  A video followed with highlights featuring that game.

Team members Eneli Garza, Marissa Camacho, Reanna Aguirre and Lexie Escamilla presented the first ring to OLLU super fan and maintenance technician Mike Aguilar.

Armijo said, "Game two was a regional rematch with Hope International University from California. In a match-up of two of the best pitchers in the country, the Saints mustered only one hit but scored the only run they needed on a sacrifice bunt and heads-up base running, as OLLU downed Hope, 1-0. A video followed with highlights featuring that game.

Team members Marissa Bradley, Laila Vega and Celina Wilharm presented the second ring to Associate Director of Admissions Johnny Garcia.

"Game three was a rematch of the 2023 regional championship game with Hope International," Armijo said. "The Saints were one win away from their second trip to the NAIA World Series for the second year in a row. The last career homerun of a future OLLU hall of famer and the third perfect defensive game in a row proved to be the difference in the 2-0 final score. For the second time in two years, the Saints were regional champions!" A video followed with highlights featuring that game.

Team members Natalie Rodriguez, Alana Benitez and Tania Rodriguez presented the third ring to Sports Information Assistant Ryan O'Keefe. He accompanied the team to the World Series and provided excellent coverage of the team's journey.

Armijo continued, "Game four was the 2024 World Series opener against a talented Madonna squad from Michigan. The Saints took the number one national seed into the tournament in search of their first World Series victory. Two RBIs from Marissa Bradley, a timely pinch hit from Bradi Hill, and seven scoreless innings from Cassandra Valdez and the Saints' defense were enough for a 3-0 historic win!" A video followed with highlights featuring that game.

Team members Kayla Dreese, Arianna Alejandro and Bradi Hill presented the fourth and fifth rings to Recruiting Coordinator Eloy Pacheco and OLLU alumnus and former Assistant Coach Nick Espinoza.

"Game five was against perennial power and 2023 national runner-up, Oregon Tech University," Armijo said. "RBIs from Kayla Dreese and Alyssa Flores helped plate three runs in the first, and Valdez struck out 10 en route to another 3- 0 shutout victory - the Saints' fifth in a row. OLLU was headed to the National Semifinals!" A video followed with highlights featuring that game.

Team members Kristee Salas, Valeria Vielma and Emilia Salinas presented Sports Information Director Patty Constantin with the sixth ring.

Armijo commented, "Game six was against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. The Saints swept the Drovers earlier in the season, but much more was on the line this time. OLLU found itself behind on the scoreboard for the first time all postseason, but a solo home run by Grace Ross and RBIs from Valdez and Madison Garza tied it up in the fifth. That set the stage for the biggest home run in OLLU history, as Flores called the game in the bottom of the eighth. That swing sent the Saints to the National Championship game!" A video followed with highlights featuring that game.

Team members Alyssa Flores, Grace Ross and Ava Hernandez presented Athletic Director Tom Norris with the seventh ring.

Armijo concluded, "On May 29, only Jessup University from California stood between OLLU and its first National Championship. Jessup featured a powerful offense that was never held scoreless in their previous 56 games, but none of those were against Cassandra Valdez and the Saints' defense. Back-to-back hits by Dreese and Bradley in the third inning and a thunderous home run by Madison Garza in the sixth was all the scoring the Saints needed as they defeated Jessup 2-0 to bring the first Red Banner back to the Westside of San Antonio!" A video followed with highlights featuring that game.

Team members Cassandra Valdez, Madison Garza and Alyssa Garcia presented the final ring to OLLU President Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez.

All of those receiving special rings were asked to return to the front of the stage to assist in presenting the 2024 Championship Rings to the team and coaches. Everyone opened their boxes to reveal their beautiful championship rings when all the rings were distributed.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington made his way to the stage to talk about the reformation of the softball field from what it was five years ago to what it is now. He spoke about how special his journey has been as head coach – a tenure that has included three Red River Athletic Conference Regular-Season Championships, a West Division Championship, a Postseason Championship, and three NAIA National Championships – two of which were at the World Series. Lenington and the Saints have had a significant role in the university earning the moniker of "The Pride of the Westside."

Cassandra Valdez returned to the stage. The World Series Most Valuable Player and the 2024 NAIA National Pitcher of the Year also talked about her journey. She transferred from two NCAA D1 schools to find her home at OLLU. Her time at OLLU helped her achieve her ultimate goal of playing professional softball. Valdez signed with the Coastal Bend Tidal Wave of the Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF) this past summer.

Valdez welcomed Dr. Chavez and the other seniors from her class—Alana Benitez, Madison Bradley, Kayla Dreese, Alyssa Flores, Eneli Garza, Madison Garza, and Natalie Rodriguez. They watched a short video and then walked over to the front of the gym, where they unveiled the 2024 Softball National Championship Banner.  

This concluded the event. All were encouraged to support the Saints throughout their 2024 fall season, which features games against NCAA D1 schools University of the Incarnate Word, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The Saints' official season will begin Jan. 31 at home against Evangel University.

Watch highlights from the evening's events