April 22, 2008

TEXARKANA, Ark. (SMU) - SMU's Kelly Kraft has been named the Conference USA Freshman Of The Year by the league's coaches, the C-USA office announced today.

Kraft, a native of Denton, Texas, had a strong first season on the Hilltop, twice earning Conference USA Men's Golfer of the Week honors. He claimed medalist honors at the Louisiana Classics Golf Tournament and finished second at the Diet Pepsi Shocker Classic.

Kraft and Mustang sophomore Ben Tewes were also each named second-team All-C-USA performers. Tewes earned C-USA Golfer of the Week honors in October, while Kraft was the only rookie to earn an all-conference nod.

On the course, the Mustangs wrapped up the 2008 C-USA Men's Golf Championship, moving up one spot to finish fourth at 873. Ben Tewes and Dan Kleckner tied for eighth at 217, while Kraft was 14th at 219. James Minahan also posted a top-20 finish by shooting 220 to tie for 17th. Scott Barton rounded out the SMU team in 35th at 225.

UAB junior Zach Sucher's earned medalist honors at 9-under 207, while the Blazers also took the team crown at 857.

A complete final leaderboard is available here.

2008 C-USA MEN'S GOLF AWARDS


Golfer of the Year
Zach Sucher, UAB


Freshman of the Year
Kelly Kraft, SMU


Newcomer of the Year
David Johnson, UCF


Coach of the Year
Grant Robbins, Memphis




All-Conference
First Team
Greg Forest, UCF
Jordan Irwin, Houston
David Johnson, UCF
Ian Rochester, Memphis
Brad Smith, UAB
Zach Sucher, UAB


Second Team
Robbie Greenwell, Memphis
Nicolas Geyger, Tulsa
Kelly Kraft, SMU
Ben Tewes, SMU




All-Freshman Team
Herbert Day, UTEP
Kelly Kraft, SMU
Warren Straub, East Carolina
Michael Whitehead, Rice