Golfers Make The Grade

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Three Northeastern State golfers were recently recognized for their athletic and academic excellence.

Katie Miller was named to the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American Scholar Team.  Jeff Cox and Kevin King were also honored by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) as Cleveland/Srixon All-America Scholars.

"This is a tremendous honor, not only for Katie, Jeff, and Kevin, but for our golf programs as a whole," said head coach Scott Varner. "Our cumulative grade point average was better than 3.2 for both squads last year. I am proud of them and for them.

"We have consistently had Academic All-Americans from both teams. When you look at the numbers of those who have been honored, we rank up there with the best teams nationally."

Miller, a senior from Turpin, majoring in elementary education, met some of the most stringent criteria in all of college athletics. She also earned distinction as a member of the Lone Star Conference All-Academic team in 2009.

The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.50 and student-athletes must have competed in at least 66 percent of the college's regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year.

King and Cox both finished their collegiate careers this spring prior to the awards being announced. To be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar status, an individual must be a junior or senior academically, competed in at least two full years at the collegiate level, participate in 70-percent of his team's competitive rounds or compete in the NCAA Championships, have a stroke-average under 76.0 in Division II and maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.

Cox, who also was named a Lone Star Conference scholar athlete, placed 55th at the NCAA Division II National Tournament at Loomis Trail Golf Club in Blaine, Wash. The RiverHawks finished the national tournament in 11th place.