MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A trio of West Virginia University golfers were honored for their work in the classroom on Thursday, as Chris Williams, Alan Cooke and Mason Short were named to the Big 12 All-Academic Golf Team.

 

Williams earned first team honors, while Cooke and Short were named to the second team. They are the first Mountaineer golfers to be honored academically by the Big 12, as the team resumed competition this season after a three-decade hiatus.

 

“One of our core values is to achieve success in the classroom,” coach Sean Covich said. “I’m proud of Alan, Chris and Mason for not only putting in the hard work on the golf course, but also in the classroom. Our academic advisor, Brady Rourke, has also done a great job with our guys.”

 

A native of Scott Depot, West Virginia, Williams has played in nine tournaments for the Mountaineers with a stroke average of 76.33. He tied for 16th at the President’s Day Challenge in February, and recorded a low round of 69 at the Graeme McDowell/Shoal Creek Invitational in October. Williams is a junior finance major.

 

Cook, who also hails from West Virginia, ranks third on the team with a 75.76 scoring average through eight tournaments. Hailing from Parkersburg, he boasts a pair of top-25 finishes and tied for low round of the season with a 67 at the Joe Feaganes Marshall Intercollegiate in September. Cooke, who transferred from USC Beaufort last year, is a junior who is majoring in marketing.

 

One of the original four members of the squad, Short has represented the Mountaineers on five occasions this season. He carded a low round of 69 at the Quail Valley Collegiate Invitational in October, holds a stroke average of 76.58. A senior, Short is majoring in communication studies.

 

First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA while the second team selections hold a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

 

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of their team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.