Published: July 24, 2008 10:39 am         

PSC golf team earns national honors

Thompson named Academic All-American

KEYSER, W.Va. - The Potomac State College golf team, which won conference, state and region championships and placed 12th in this year's national tournament, was named a National Academic Team of the Year award winner by the National Junior College Athletic Association.

The golf team earned the academic award after carrying a 3.04 cumulative grade point average for the 2007-2008 year. It is the first time in school history that the team has won the award.

"This is a huge deal for us," said Potomac State coach Aaron Edwards. "It is one thing to have a good team on the field, but to work hard off the field is equally impressive. I am really pleased with the success we had this year and hopefully we can continue this trend."

The Catamounts had solid academic credentials from all the team members. Sophomore Jeremy Thompson led the way with a 4.0 GPA for the year, maintained a 3.9 GPA for his Potomac State career, and earned Distinguished Academic All-American honors from the NJCAA. Thompson received all-Region XX honors at this year's Region XX golf tournament.

"Jeremy was an amazing student-athlete. I never remember him missing a practice or match, and I never had to worry about his grades," said Edwards. "I really don't know how he did it!" Jeremy will be continuing his academic and golfing careers this fall at Shepherd University.

"Jeremy is the hardest worker I have ever seen. He has the drive to be great, and will really help the Shepherd team the next two seasons,'' Edwards said.

For the season, the Catamounts were Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference champions, Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association state champions, Fairmont State Invitational champions and Region XX champions before finishing 12th at the National tournament.

Individually, Brian Affleck and Brendan Dillon were named to the National Tournament first team. Several others were named to all-conference, all-region, and all-state teams.

Team members included Thompson, Affleck, Dillon, Travis Kidwell, Matt Pellillo, David Lang, Stephen Bennett, and Bryan Killeleagh.