April 27, 2010
Vanderbilt sophomore Marina Alex was named the 2010 SEC Golfer of the Year on Tuesday by the league office in Birmingham, becoming the first Commodore player to win the award since May Wood was named the co-golfer of the year in 2004. In addition to Alex’s honor, freshmen Anna Leigh Keith and Lauren Stratton were named to the All-Freshman team in a ballot voted on by the league’s coaches.
Alex, who captured medalist honors at the SEC Championship last weekend, leads the SEC in scoring, averaging 71.3 strokes per round. Alex has finished in the top 10 in every event she has played in this season, placing first once, second four times and third once. She is currently ranked fourth in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index Ratings.
“Winning this award feels great,” said Alex. “I’ve worked really hard to get to this point, and it’s great that the hard work has paid off.
“I’m also really proud of our freshman. I think we’re in a great place right now heading into regionals, and we’re all excited to get that started.”
Alex and Wood are the only two Vanderbilt players to win SEC Golfer of the Year honors. Alex becomes the sixth Commodore player to make the All-SEC first team, joining Wood (2004), Jacqui Concolino (2006 and 2007), Chris Brady (2005), Sarah Jacobs (2004), and Courtney Wood (2003).
Meanwhile, teammates Keith and Stratton also garnered attention from the SEC office in being named to the All-Freshman team. Keith, who averaged 75.9 strokes per round, and Stratton, who averaged 75.1, made Vanderbilt the only team with two selections on the squad.
“I’m really proud of Marina, Anna Leigh and Lauren,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “They have worked extremely hard this year on their game and are well deserving of the awards.
“Marina has been so consistent all year and it was nice to see it all come together at the SEC Championship,” continued Allen. “And, our two freshman have really excelled in their first year of collegiate golf while also acclimating themselves to life at Vanderbilt. They are getting better every day and are just starting to peek, which is the perfect time as we head into regionals. ”