May 31, 2003

Stillwater, Okla. - For the first time in school history, the Illinois men's golf team had two players selected as All-Americans in the same season. Sophomore James Lepp (Abbotsford, B.C.) earned Ping Second-Team All-America honors while freshman Patrick Nagle (Pacifica, Calif.) was named a Ping Third-Team All-American. Both players were honored as being among the nation's Top 30 golfers, as the three All-America teams (first, second and third) consisted of 10 golfers each. Nagle was also honored as one of the top newcomers in the country, being named to the six-player Pride/Softspikes Freshman All-America Team.

Lepp was named a second-team All-American after having one of the most successful seasons in Illinois golf history. The Canadian set the Illini single-season stroke average record with an average of 71.41 in 34 rounds of golf, breaking the previous record of 71.52, set by current PGA Tour member Steve Stricker during his senior season at the UI in 1988-89. Lepp became just the second golfer in Illinois history (along with Stricker) to earn Big Ten Player of the Year honors and was an All-Big Ten selection for the second straight season. He captured medalist honors at three tournaments, winning the Northern Intercollegiate, Conrad Rehling Alabama Invitational, and Bruce Fossum/TaylorMade Invitational. Lepp recorded nine Top-10 finishes in 11 tournaments and tallied 20 rounds of below or even par on the season. This is the highest individual honor achieved by an Illinois golfer since Stricker was a two-time first-team All-American in 1988 and '89.

"It's been a great year, but I have to admit that I didn't end it the way I wanted," Lepp said. "If I would have played better at nationals, I think I had a good shot at making the first team. But that's just my nature, to strive to be the best that I can be and always expecting more out of myself. I'm already looking forward to next season. Our team obviously has a bright future. I think we're going to be really good next year and do even better than we did this year."

Nagle earned third-team All-America honors and became the first newcomer in school history to be named to the Freshman All-America Team after completing a sensational rookie season. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-Big Ten selection tallied 10 Top-10 finishes in 13 tournaments, with seven coming in the Top Five. Nagle had five runner-up finishes, placing second at the Badger Invitational, Nestle Purina Classic, Conrad Rehling Alabama Invitational, Robert Kepler Intercollegiate and NCAA Central Regional. Nagle also caught the attention of everyone at this week's NCAA Championships, tying the course record at Karsten Creek Golf Club with a round of 6-under par 66, the lowest score carded at the Championships. He finished the year with a stroke average of 72.35, ranking sixth in school history on the single-season charts, and had 22 rounds below or even par on the year. Nagle is the first Illinois third-team All-American since D.A. Points during his senior season in 1999.

"I thought that I had a good chance at making the freshman All-America team, but I had no idea that I would also make All-American. It's an exciting surprise and a little bit overwhelming," Nagle said. "This is quite an honor. I'm very happy with how my first season went at Illinois, and it was nice to end the year on a high note with the way I played during my last round at NCAAs."

Third-year head coach Mike Small was also honored as the Eaton Golf Pride Midwest Region Coach of the Year. Small directed the Illini to one of the most successful seasons in school history as the team won four tournaments during the year-the Northern Intercollegiate, Nestle Purina Classic, Marshall Invitational and Bruce Fossum/TaylorMade Invitational. He also led Illinois to runner-up finishes at the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Central Regional and to a repeat appearance at the NCAA Championships, where the Illini placed 21st.

"This is unprecedented for Illinois golf to have two players make All-American," Small said. "To have a freshman and sophomore among the top 30 players in the country and to have nearly our entire roster returning next year, the future of Illinois golf is in good hands. As far as being named Coach of the Year for our region, it's an honor to be listed alongside of some of the best coaches in our sport. But it's our players that won this award for me."