June 18, 2007

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Junior Andrew DiBitetto and freshman Corey Nagy of Charlotte and Xavier senior Jason Kokrak have been named PING Division I Honorable Mention All-Americans by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

DiBitetto led Charlotte to a program-best third-place finish at the NCAA Championships by finishing tied for ninth place at two-under par 278. It was the 49ers best-ever individual finish at the NCAA Championships. DiBitetto, who posted a 72.8 stroke average this season, holds the 49ers school record for career stroke average at 72.88.

"To play a well as he did, at that time, at the National Championship with a USGA-type setup and to excel that week and finish in the top 15, that shows his character and ability," said head coach Jamie Green. "All year he has been solid and he posted his best year at Charlotte, but he really shone at the right time."

Nagy, who was also one of five freshmen chosen to the NCAA Freshman All-America Team, placed tied for 35th at the NCAA Championships. Nagy was ranked as high as 43rd in the country and finished the season ranked 55th by Golfweek. He posted a 49ers' freshman record 72.2 stroke average, this season. In his last six tournament he finished in the top six, four times.

"Corey had a couple of tournament where being a freshman showed up, but he still had a stroke average right around 72. That's impressive for a freshman. And he was in contention for tournament wins at multiple events. You just don't see that. The last time we did was Matt (Mincer)'s freshman year."

Both Nagy and junior Jonas Enander Hedin (Taby, Sweden) were named to the 16-player PING all-South Region team announced prior to the NCAA Championships. Enander Hedin led the 49ers with a 71.86 stroke average -- becoming just the second 49er in school history to record a season-long stroke average of under 72.0.

"To have a guy like Jonas who led us throughtout the year. His level of consistency, with eight top 15 finishes, was remarkable. For him to be leading the team with two other all-Americas -- that's your balance right there. He had a model year in terms of consistency through patience and diligence."

Like Nagy, he went on to place tied for 35th at the NCAA Championships. Nagy and Enander Hedin join teammate Ray Sheedy (2006) as the only 49ers to be named to the PING all-South Region by the GCAA.

Kokrak recently qualified for the 2007 U.S. Open posting rounds of 69 and 68 in the sectional qualifier at the par 72, 7,140 yard Double Eagle Club in Columbus, OH. The first-ever Xavier golfer to participate in the U.S. Open, Kokrak finished in a tie for 114th place, six shots behind the cutline. He ended his season with a 71.67 shooting average.

He finished tied for third place at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship, and took home individual first-place honors at the Air Force Invitational, Xavier Invitational and Bruce Fossum Invitational. Kokrak completed the season with six top-10 and seven top-20 finishes. He was the only member of the Xavier squad to earn an NCAA Regional berth where he missed the cut for the finals by one shot.