April 14, 2008

FLORENCE, Ala. --- Two Samford women's golfers have been honored by the Ohio Valley Conference for their success and outstanding achievement on the greens this season. Voted on by league coaches, sophomore Heather Arnold was named to the All-OVC second team while sophomore Sara Hunt landed a spot on the All-Newcomer team. All conference awards were given out at a banquet following the first round of the OVC Championship Tournament.

Hunt, a transfer from Birmingham-Southern, finished the season with the Bulldogs' lowest stroke average (78.1), which landed her in the top 10 in Conference scoring average. Arnold has been a consistent player for the Bulldogs all season, holding the third lowest average (78.7) on the team.

The OVC Freshman of the Year award went to two players for the second year in a row. Jacksonville State's Laura Cutler and Murray State's Alex Hitteregger were named OVC Co-Freshman of the year. Player of the Year and Coach of the Year will be announced on Wednesday following the final round of play.

The All-OVC first team was comprised of Portia Abbot and Mercedes Huarte of Jacksonville State, Carrie Riordan of Eastern Illinois, Ashley Spangler of Tennessee Tech and Kelli Warner of Eastern Kentucky.

Arnold was joined on the All-OVC second team by Diane Carson of Tennessee Tech, Ashley Cox of Jacksonville State, Andrea Downer and Alex Hinteregger of Murray State and Chelsea Harris of Austin Peay.

Along with Hunt, the All-Newcomer team included Laura Cutler of Jacksonville State, Chelsea Harris of Austin Peay and Alex Hinteregger and Joyce Trus from Murray State.