Fresno State Athletics
Golfers Nick Watney and Jonathan Echols Named All-Americans
6/3/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
June 3, 2002
NORMAN, Okla. - Junior Nick Watney (Dixon, Calif.) was named first team All-American, while teammate senior Jonathan Echols (Hanford, Calif.) was awarded All-America honorable mention. The Golf Coaches Association of America named the honorees Sunday, June 2.
While Fresno State has 34 golf All-Americans, Watney is only the second golfer to be named first team. He joins 1980 graduate Tim Norris in that honor.
Watney placed second, one stroke back from the winner, against 24 All-Americans at the Savane Sun Bowl Tournament. He placed third at the NCAA West Regional and sixth among the 156 players at the NCAA Championship. Watney is also a member of the 2002 Palmer Cup team.
Watney had three wins and 11 other top 10 finishes including four second place finishes. He averaged 70.53 for his 45 competitive rounds this year breaking the Fresno State one-year scoring average record (71.46) that he set last season. Watney broke par 30 times including rounds of 63, 64, 65, and 66.
"Nick has simply put together the best year in Fresno State history, said Coach Mike Watney. "He amazes me in every tournament he plays. I've never seen anyone, including other first team All-Americans, play at the same high level every single week"
Echols was named All-American Honorable Mention. He had four top ten finishes including three second place finishes. Additionally, he had seven top 25 finishes. At 72.57, Echols has one of Fresno State's top 20 highest scoring averages. He finished 14th at the West Regional and 97th at the NCAA Championships.
"Jonathan is a great player with pro potential," said Coach Mike Watney. "The one-two punch of Nick and Jonathan was the big reason Fresno State was ranked in the top 10 nationally this season."
