DANIELS, W.V. - Joel Sylven of the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's golf team has been named the recipient of the NCAA Division II Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) at the conclusion of stroke play at the NCAA DII Championship on Wednesday night.
Sylven adds to his collection of postseason awards and honors which includes GLVC Freshman of the Year, All-GLVC, PING Midwest All-Region and Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year semifinalist.
"We are really excited for Joel to be named the national freshman of the year," said UMSL head men's golf coach Troy Halterman. "He had an outstanding year and is truly deserving of this award. It's a big honor for him and our program."
He entered the NCAA Championship with a stroke average of 71.79, a new single season record at UMSL, and a national ranking of 15th. In his first collegiate season, Sylven recorded six top-five finishes and nine in the top 10. He earned medalist honors at the Midwest Regional at Fox Run and at the Newberry Invitational. Sylven tied for second at the NCAA DII Midwest/Central Regional and was 35th at the DII Championship.
His play helped the Tritons to the NCAA Championship for the 11th time in program history. UMSL recorded a 10th place finish, coming up just three strokes short of moving on to medal-match play.
Sylven was joined on the All-Freshman Team by Agustin Errarzuriz and Giovanni Manzoni of Lynn, Brock Healy of Valdosta State, and Western Washington's Jordan Lee.
