NORMAN, Okla. – The University of South Alabama men's golf program has had at least one individual selected a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America each of the last five years after the organization announced Wednesday that it has recognized both Lane Hulse and Blake Kelley for their efforts during the 2012-13 campaign.

It's the first time either of the two — who are entering their final season of eligibility at the collegiate level this season — have earned GCAA honors, although this year's announcement  increases the total to six Jaguars who have been chosen an All-America Scholar by the group in the last five years.  Marc-Etienne Bussieres was honored after both the 2009 and '10 seasons, while Christian Blanchet and Chris Piumelli were recognized in 2011 with McLain Leberte selected to last year's squad.

A resident of Fordyce, Ark., Hulse was the medalist at the Sun Belt Conference championships in the spring, posting a career-best 2-under-par 214 score over three days before winning the title on the first playoff hole.  That was one of six top-20 performances put together by the junior in 12 events, as he also finished in the top 10 at the David Toms Intercollegiate during the fall semester.  Hulse was third on the team — and 15th in the league — with a 74.72 stroke average, and he also finished third on the squad with nine rounds of par or better.

Kelley recorded four top-20 finishes last season, placing in the top 10 in the final regular-season tournament each semester; he concluded the fall by coming in ninth at Kennesaw State's Pinetree Invitational, then closed out the spring campaign with a tie for seventh at the Old Waverly Intercollegiate hosted by Mississippi State.  The Mandeville, La., native participated in all but the first event of the year, posting a 75.22 scoring average including five rounds at or below par.

On the course, their efforts helped the Jaguars advance to the NCAA Southeast Regional in May, where USA tied for sixth place as both recorded a 224 54-hole total to tie for 17th in the individual standings.

The GCAA honored 152 NCAA Division I student-athletes as Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars this year.  To be eligible for such recognition, individuals must be a junior or senior academically, have competed in at least two full years at the collegiate level, and participated in 70 percent of his team's competitive rounds or competed in the NCAA Championships.  They must also have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher, be of high moral character and be in good standing at their college or university, with individuals at the Division I level recording a scoring average below 76.0.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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