By: By Hunter McKay
ASUN All-Conference Release |
ASUN All-Academic Release
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women's golf team collected a plethora of honors as the ASUN Conference announced its all-conference and all-academic teams at its banquet Saturday evening before the women's golf championships.
Madison Caldwell was named both ASUN Women's Golfer of the Year and ASUN First Team All-Conference, while head coach
Rhyll Brinsmead collected the ASUN Coach of the Year Award. Senior
Henriette Nielsen and
Roanne Tomlinson were selections to the All-ASUN First Team. Juniors
Clara Aveling and
Charlotte Charrayre were named to the All-ASUN Second Team.
Kwan Wongsinth was selected to the All-Freshman Team and
Medy Thavong landed a spot on the All-Academic team.
Caldwell is the top-ranked player in the ASUN at 74 in the Golfstat rankings. She played in all 10 of teams tournaments this season and led team with a scoring average of 73.55. The junior led the team with four top-10 finishes and two top-five finishes. She has been the teams' best finisher five times this season. She fired a team-low round of 5-under par 67 in the third round of the Lady Paladin Invitational. That round tied for third best in program history on a par 72 course. Her best finish was third at the Lady Paladin Invitational with a team 54-hole low score of 7-under par 209. The 7-under par 54-hole total is the lowest in program history in a par 72 course. She posted 10 rounds at par or better this season. The Dawsonville, Ga. native earned ASUN Golfer of the Week honors three times this season. Caldwell is the fifth different Owl to win Golfer of the Year honors joining
Ines Lescudier,
Kaew Preamchuen and teammates
Clara Aveling and
Medy Thavong.
"Madison has had an amazing year and is one of the most remarkable turnarounds I have witnessed," head coach
Rhyll Brinsmead said. "Her story is the epitome of hard work, dedication and trust. We have worked tirelessly to draw out Madison's potential and it has been beyond satisfying to watch her grow and succeed. I am so proud of her. She joins a rich history of KSU athletes that have won the player of the year award."
Brinsmead earns her fourth ASUN Coach of the Year honor after leading the Owls to 10 top-10 tournament finishes this season. The Owls had eight top five finishes including a win at the Ladies Fall Intercollegiate Invitational. KSU owns a 296.07 four-player scoring average this season, which currently is the lowest in program history. The Owls also are the top-ranked team in the conference at No.44 in this week's Golfstat team rankings.
"It is always a great feeling to be recognized by your peers. This award is always about more than the individual is, as no individual can be successful without being surrounded by a great team and support system. This is an opportunity to thank the KSU administration for their ongoing support of the program. We could not achieve all we have without their belief in our vision. I would also like to thank Eric; his exceptional talent has bolstered this program, and the team has advanced with his guidance. My family has been a huge part of the success this year and having them by my side has made this season the most memorable and successful. And of course, my amazing team, without their buy in this award isn't possible."
Nielsen played in all 10 events this season with a 74.48 scoring average. Nielsen is the second-ranked player in the ASUN at 177th in the Golfstat rankings. She finished in top 15 six times this season. The senior carded season-low rounds of 3-under par 69 in the third round of the Johnie Imes Invitational and Ladies Fall Intercollegiate Invitational. Her best finish of the season came at the Ladies Fall Intercollegiate Invitational where she finished second with rounds of 77-69 for a 2-over par total of 146. The captain had career-low 54-hole total scores of 4-over par 220 at the Johnie Imes Invitational and Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic.
Tomlinson has a 74.77 scoring average in nine events. She has finished in top 15 six times this season. She recorded a season-low round of 2-under par 70 in the third round of the Johnie Imes Invitational. Her top finish of the season came at the Johnie Imes Invitational where she finished sixth with rounds of 72-71-70 for a 3-under par total of 213. That 3-under total ranks fifth-best all-time in program history on a par 72 course. The Lake Mary, Fla. native, finished eighth at the Hawkeye El-Tigre Invitational with rounds of 72-76-72 for a 4-over par total of 216. She and Caldwell tied for the team lead with 10 rounds played at par or better this season. The junior is ranked 225th in the Golfstat rankings which is fourth best in the ASUN.
"This is a great honor to place three athletes on first team all-conference," Brinsmead said. "Henriette, Roanne and Madison have been the backbone of our lineup and a major factor in our record-breaking year. I am particularly pleased for Henriette to earn first team her senior season; she was determined for her senior season to be her best. These athletes have worked tirelessly for this honor."
Charrayre posted a 76.41 scoring average in 10 events this season. The junior finished in top 25 three times this season. She carded her season-low round of 1-under par 71 in the first round of the Rebel Beach. Her best finish of the season came at the Hawkeye El-Tigre Invitational where she finished tied for 20th with rounds of 75-75-75 for a 9-over par total of 225.
Aveling returned to action this spring from an injury recording a 76.2 scoring average in seven events. She had a pair of top-5 finishes this season. The junior posted a season-low round of 1-under par 71 in the third round of the Henssler Intercollegiate. The Linkebeek, Belgium native tied for fifth with rounds of 72-72-77 at the Rebel Beach and at the Henssler Intercollegiate with rounds of 75-73-71 for a 3-over par total of 219 where she was the Owls top finisher in the event.
"Clara and Charlotte are very deserving of their second team recognition," Brinsmead stated. "Both have contributed to the lineup all year and have posted some great rounds when we needed them the most. Their consistency this season places them both as some of the best players in the ASUN conference. I am very proud of them for working towards this goal and it's satisfying to know they were recognized by the other coaches."
Wongsinth is the 12th Owl in program history to land on the ASUN All-Freshmen team. She played in five events this season with a 77.59 scoring average. She collected a pair of top-20 finishes this season. The Thailand native had her season-low round of 2-under par 70 in the second round of the Palmetto Intercollegiate. She tied for 11th with rounds of 75-75 for a 6-over par total of 150 at the Ladies Fall Intercollegiate Invitational.
"Kwan had a very solid fall season, and posted some good rounds for the team," Brinsmead stated. "She is one of the best freshmen in the A-Sun, and I am pleased for her to receive this award."
Thavong earned a spot on the All-Academic team for the second straight season. In the classroom, she carries a 3.95 GPA in accounting. On the course, she played in five events this season with a 74.6 scoring average. She recorded three season-low rounds of even par 72 at the Hawkeye-El Tigre Invitational and was the Owls top finisher at the tournament with an even-par total of 216 finishing tied for second.
"Medy is the epitome of student-athlete," Brinsmead said. "The time she puts in at practice and in her studies is remarkable. She has the highest expectations for herself in both areas, and this recognition will be appreciated. Her ability to maintain her 3.95 GPA in accounting through her junior year is impressive and to back it up with her athletics prowess, is amazing."
The Owls will begin postseason play at the ASUN Championships at the Legends Course at Chateau Elan in Braselton, Georgia April 22-24.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's golf news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWmnsGolf or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
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