Pavan Receives MVP, Ellis Leadership Award at Annual Banquet
Apr 30, 2010 | Men's Golf
April 30, 2010
With the defense of its 2009 NCAA Championship looming, the Texas A&M men's golf team honored its 2009-10 regular season at the annual Aggie Golf Day and Team Awards Ceremony on Friday at the Paul Wahlberg '50 Learning Center at Traditions Club.
The Aggies have had a strong season so far with the team climbing to the No. 2 spot in the Golfweek/Sagarin rating, which is the program's highest regular season ranking ever, and winning four tournaments in 12 chances. The Aggies placed first at the Lone Star Invitational at Briggs Ranch, the Baylor Intercollegiate and the Aggie Invitational and tied for first at the John Burns Intercollegiate.
Receiving the Team MVP was the team's lone senior Andrea Pavan (Rome, Italy), who has been the Aggies' most consistent performer all season. The two-time European Palmer Cup selection leads the Aggies with a 71.62 scoring average, and finished among the top 10 individuals at seven tournaments. Earlier this week, Pavan received All-Big 12 Conference for the second straight season.
Pavan also received the Robert Ellis Leadership Award, which is named for the longtime Aggie golf coach who oversaw the A&M program for 28 seasons.
Receiving the Most Improved Player Award was sophomore Jordan Russell from A&M Consolidated High School in College Station. After playing in just three tournaments as a freshman, Russell developed into one of the mainstays of the Aggie top five in 2009-10. Russell ranks No. 2 on the team with a 71.85 scoring average, and has finished in the top 10 at five tournaments. Russell, a 2010 All-Big 12 pick, won his first career collegiate tournament at the Aggie Invitational with a 10-under par 206 score.
The Newcomer of the Year was true freshman Cameron Peck (Olympia, Washington), who is the lone new addition to the Aggies' lineup. Peck ranks No. 3 on the squad with a 72.74 scoring average, and ranks No. 55 in the Golfweek/Sagarin ratings. Peck has five top 10 finishes in 2009-10 with a best finish of second at the Baylor Intercollegiate.
The B.K. and Jane Watson Academic Achievement Award went to redshirt freshman Case Cochran, who has compiled a perfect 4.0 grade point average while pursuing a degree in sport management. Cochran (Paducah, Kentucky) has played in five tournaments in 2009-10, and posted a victory at the St. Edward's Invitational while playing as an individual.
