NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE (MID-)YEAR
MEN
Cody Gribble, TexasStarting his career with the Longhorns with three top-three finishes has helped the Dallas native become a leader on the UT squad in a short period of time. Gribble's style of play had led to some exciting moments; to wit, he had five eagles at the UTSA Lone Star Invitational this fall. Better yet for coach John Fields and his backers: Gribble leads the country in final-round scoring with a 67.25 average.
Fields has said publicly that he feels Gribble's decision to play primarily an amateur schedule the past 2 1/2 years rather than a junior one has made the transition go as smoothly as it has. Says Fields, the level of competition isn't new to Gribble.
Honorable mention: Cameron Peck, Texas A&M
The top junior coming out of high school has qualified for the Aggies starting line-up in all four events that the defending NCAA champs have played. Moreover, he seems to be getting more and more comfortable with each event, finishing T-2 at the Baylor Intercollegiate to close the fall.
WOMEN
Kristina Merkle, TulsaWhile having a following back home in Honolulu, Merkle was under the radar nationally coming into college. Her performances this fall, however, have changed all that. Merkle started with a T-3 finish at the Mo-Morial, improved to a runner-up showing at the Marilyn Smith Sunflower, then did herself one better again when she won the Johnie Imes Invitational. To close the fall, she posted a T-5 at the Turtle Bay Collegiate, wrapping up the first half of the season with a 72.4 average.
Honorable mention: Amy Anderson, North Dakota State
The U.S. Girls Junior champion made a big splash in her first 54-hole college event, winning the Chip--N-Club Invitational while setting the school's 18- and 54-hole scoring records. This came after winning the 18-hole Concordia Open to start her college career. She continued her fine play with a third win and two other top-seven finishes.
GOLF WORLD ALL-FRESHMEN MID-SEASON TEAM
MEN
Pedro Figueiredo, UCLA
70.10 avg., 2 starts, 1 runner-up, 2 top-8s
Cody Gribble, Texas
70.80 avg., 4 starts, 4 top-3s, 5 eagles
Daniel Jennevret, TCU
73.11 avg., 3 starts, 1 win (The Prestige)
Cameron Peck, Texas A&M
72.58 avg., 4 starts, 2 top-5s
Jade Scott, Rice
71.80 avg., 5 starts, 1 win (David Toms), 4 top-10s
WOMEN
Amy Anderson, North Dakota State
73.60 avg., 5 starts, 3 wins (Concordia Open, Chip-N-Club, No. Arizona), 5 top-7s
Sarah Beth Davis, Texas A&M
73.09 avg., 4 starts, 1 win (Mo-Morial), 3 top-6s
Laura Gonzalez Escallon, Purdue
73.92, 4: T-5, T-9, T-6, T-54
Jennifer Johnson, Arizona State
71.25, 3: T-7, T-6, T-10
Kristina Merkle, Tulsa
72.40, 4: T-3, 2, Win (Johnnie Imes), T-5
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