NEW ORLEANS – The University of South Alabama men's golf team earned multiple Sun Belt Conference honors, including Jack Hearn being named Newcomer of the Year, the league announced Tuesday.  

Hearn is the first Jaguar to ever receive the Newcomer of the Year award. He led the Jaguars this season with a 72.37 stroke average over 30 rounds, which ranks 10th in program history. The transfer from McNeese State ranked fifth overall in the Sun Belt individually. He was also named Sun Belt Golfer of the Week on March 31.

The Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary, Ireland, native earned his first collegiate individual victory and led the Jags to a team win while carding season-low round (6-under-par 66) and tournament (13-under-par 203) scores at the Craft Farms Intercollegiate back in March. He recorded 14 rounds at or under par and finished in the top 10 twice and in the top 20 three times during the season. 

Hearn also earned first-team all-Sun Belt honors alongside teammate Jacob LeCroy, who earned third-team honors. 

In his junior season, LeCroy had the most top-10 (4) and top-20 (4) finishes on the Jaguar roster. He ranked 12th in the Sun Belt Individually this season. His best individual performance came during the Sun Belt Conference Championship, where he finished tied for third individually. Overall, he marked 14 rounds at or under par while having 26 of his 30 rounds counted. 

The Anniston, Ala., resident had a top-5 individual finish at the Steelwood Collegiate Invitational while notching two rounds in the 60s and his best 18-hole score, a 5-under-par 211.

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

Join the Birdie Club — the men's golf specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Birdie Club go directly to support the South Alabama men's golf program. For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/birdieclub.

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