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NORMAN, Okla. - DePaul (Division I), Maryville (Division II), Carnegie Mellon (Division III), Ohio Dominican (NAIA), Frank Phillips (NJCAA DI) and South Mountain (NJCAA DII) have been named Academic National Champions for their respective divisions announced the GCAA. DePaul posted the highest recorded team GPA with 3.66. A total of 113 teams submitted GPAs of 3.00 or higher and earned All-Academic Team recognition.
"This is an incredible academic accomplishment to compliment another fantastic year on the course for FPC," says coach John Green. "This group of guys were amazing and I am extremely proud of them. This is the first time to be named the GCAA Academic National Champions. We have been for the past three years listed as All-Academic Team of the Year but this is the first year to finish on top and I see this as a reflection of the awesome faculty, staff, and administration at Frank Phillips College. Without their efforts we would not be able to be on the road as much as we are and still be successful in the classroom. I am proud to bring this recognition to Frank Phillips College and Borger, Texas."
Albion, Brown, Butler, Carnegie Mellon, DePaul, Detroit Mercy, Duke, East Tennessee State, Gonzaga, Mercer, Ohio Dominican, Puget Sound, Seton Hall and Wofford were also accorded President's Special Recognition status for earning team GPAs of 3.50 or better.
Ancer claimed medalist honors six times during his freshman campaign - including stretch of five-of-six events late in the season. A member of the PING NJCAA Division I All-America First-Team, Ancer picked up his first individual title while helping the Wranglers to the team championship at the Odessa College Invitational. He would again enter the winner's circle after his victory at The Wrangler. The Mission, Texas, native closed out his first year at Odessa by winning his last four events of the season leading up to the NJCAA Division I Championship - the Green Tree Invitational, the NJCAA Texas State Championship, the District II Championship and the WJCAC Invitational. Ancer finished tied for second at the NJCAA Division I Championships.
The All-Nicklaus Team was created in 2008, and is not only named for history's greatest player but also a long-time supporter of collegiate and amateur golf. Jack Nicklaus, a Big Ten and NCAA Champions at The Ohio State University, helped inspire and create the Jack Nicklaus Award in 1988. The Nicklaus Award is annually given to the top collegiate men's golfer in Division I, II, III and the NAIA.
Wayne Baker believes that the city of Odessa has plenty to offer visitors.
And Odessa College's first-year athletic director just landed a prime opportunity to showcase his new city next spring.
Odessa College has been awarded the bid to host the 2011 NJCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship at the Links Course on the Odessa Country Club from May 15 to May 20 next year.
"It was kind of a gamble," Baker said. "There were five pretty strong bids for 2011, and we rolled the dice. We were able to get the bid."
The NJCAA handed out bids for three years - 2011, 2012, and 2013 - but Odessa College could only make a run at the 2011 tournament. Dates for the 2012 and 2013 tournaments did not match up for the Odessa Country Club.
But the gamble paid off for one of the nation's best junior college golf programs.
The Wranglers have won eight national championships - two under current head coach Paul Chavez - and hosted the first NJCAA Men's Golf Championship in 1959 under former head coach Jimmy Russell.
Now, the current crop of Wranglers have a little extra incentive to add to that legacy next season.
"This is a big, big deal," freshman Abraham Ancer said. "It's everybody's dream to win the national tournament, and we know the course very well, but I'm sure they're going to set it up so that it's really hard."
More importantly, the eye of junior college golf will be focused on Odessa for the first time since 1987.
"It's another mark on the Odessa College golf resume," Wranglers head coach Paul Chavez said. "Being a host school allows us to say our home course is a national championship course."
Teams from around the country will descend on the city twice - along with the national championship, Odessa College is also required to host the NJCAA National Preview in October - stay in hotels, eat at restaurants and spend money all over the city.
Not bad for a simple roll of the dice.
Click here to read article by Odessa American writer Joel A. Erickson
"He is highly deserving and has been a shining star in the coaching ranks, within the NJCAA and for our institution," said Forrest Allen, Midland College Athletic Director, in announcing Poss' selection. "We are honored by his leadership and the example he sets for our staff as well as the countless others whose lives he has touched."
"Coach Poss and his wife, Martha, have been invaluable members of our community for many, many years," Allen added.
Other participants include a former Olympic swimmer Ed Moses and Andrew Giuliana, son of former New York City Mayor and 2008 Republican Presidential candidate, Rudy Giuliani.
Reyes played at Midland College from 1999-2001 and earned NJCAA All-American honors in his sophomore season (2001).
The first segment will be aired on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. CST).
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