May 23, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Two members of the Western Washington University men's golf team, junior Jake Koppenberg (Everett) and senior Sean Packer (Sumner/Auburn Riverside), have been named to the Golf Coaches Association of America/NCAA Division II All-America team.

Koppenberg was a second-team pick and Packer was a third-team choice.

Koppenberg posted a school-record 71.3 scoring average, tying for 28th place at nationals and finishing in a tie for second at the West Regional.

A transfer from NCAA I University of Idaho, Koppenberg had 11 rounds in the 60s, including a school-record 10-under par 62 in the final round at the Grand Canyon Invitational to take medalist honors. He placed among the top 10 in eight tournaments, winning once, finishing second four times and placing third once.

Koppenberg was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. He placed second at the league tourney.

Packer had the second highest national finish in school history as he tied for third at the NCAA II Championships, just one stroke behind the co-leaders. He finished with a 72.3 scoring average, shooting six rounds in the 60s and placing among the top 10 in six tournaments.

Sean Packer

Packer was a first-team West Region selection for the second time and a first-team GNAC all-star, placing ninth at regionals and tying for seventh at the league tourney.

At nationals, Packer had three rounds of par or better, finishing 1-under 279. He was one shot off the lead with four holes to go and the leaders in the clubhouse, and gave himself two good birdie chances to tie or win.

The national appearance was the third for Packer, who placed 35th in 2006 and 81st in 2004.

Western, which ranked No.9 in the final GCAA Top 25 Poll, tied for eighth at nationals, placed second at the West Regional and won the GNAC crown.

GCAA Announces Division II PING All-America Teams

Second, third and honorable mention teams named

OWENS CROSS ROADS, Ala. -- The second, third and honorable mention PING All-America Teams have been announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Jude Eustaquio of Florida Southern, Jeff Goff of USC-Aiken, CSU-Stanislaus Erick Justesen, Tobias Rosendahl and Kyle Scott of West Florida, Sonoma State's Jarin Todd, Will Wilcox of Clayton State, Valdosta States Brent Witcher and Chris Wolfe of Armstrong Atlantic State were previously named to the PING All-America First Team.

Roberto Diaz of USC-Aiken, West Florida's Matthew Galloway, Andrew Georgiou of Columbus State, Indianapolis' Justin Hueber, Niclas Johansson of Georgia College, Western Washington's Jake Koppenberg, Colby Shrum of Central Oklahoma and Central Missouri's Justin Yoder were named to the second team.

Third -team selections include Henderson State's Jack Bartlett, Matt Ewald of Washburn, St. Edward's Jeff Howard and Colin Mayer, Greg O'Mahony and Constantin Schwierz of Nova Southeastern, Western Washington's Sean Packer and Peter Svajlen of Cameron.

A total of 28 golfers were named to the honorable mention All-America.

Division II PING All-America Teams

First Team

Jude Eustaquio, Florida Southern
Jeff Goff, USC-Aiken
Erick Justesen, CSU-Stanislaus
Tobias Rosendahl, West Florida
Kyle Scott, West Florida
Jarin Todd, Sonoma State
Will Wilcox, Clayton State
Brent Witcher, Valdosta State
Chris Wolfe, Armstrong Atlantic State

Second Team

Roberto Diaz, USC-Aiken
Matthew Galloway, West Florida
Andrew Georgiou, Columbus State
Justin Hueber, Indianapolis
Niclas Johansson, Georgia College
Jake Koppenberg, Western Washington
Colby Shrum, Central Oklahoma
Justin Yoder, Central Missouri

Third Team

Jack Bartlett, Henderson State
Matt Ewald, Washburn
Jeff Howard, St. Edward's
Collin Mayer, St. Edward's
Greg O'Mahony, Nova Southeastern
Sean Packer, Western Washington
Constantin Schwierz, Nova Southeastern
Peter Svajlen, Cameron

Honorable Mention

Scott Aydelotte, Lynn
Patrick Bauer, Sonoma State
Brandon Bennett, West Georgia
Juan Bialet, Georgia College
Victor Billskoog, Barry
Daniel Castleberry, Barton
Scott Crichton, Western New Mexico
Lucas Delgado, Chico State
Ryan Deutsch, Washburn
Seth Fair, Indianapolis
Max Hadenfeldt, Nebraska-Kearney
Jordan Holley, Lynn
Joe Juszczyk, Wayne State
Matt Lazzo, Washburn
Aaron Lisenbee, Missouri Western State
Ben Lown, Newberry
Brian Mackey, Dominican
Todd Napikoski, UC-Colorado Springs
Josh Orler, Grand Valley State
Greg Pool, Western New Mexico
Sam Powell, Northeastern State
Jared Schmader, Clarion
Wes Smith, North Alabama
Ryan Sperry, Grand Canyon
Matt Vela, St. Mary's
Gene Webster, CSU-San Bernardino
Cole Willis, Valdosta State
Joe Young, Georgia College