Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Valparaiso University’s Michelle Kleckner (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale H.S.) and Erika Pfaender (Pewaukee, Wis./Arrowhead H.S.) have both been named to the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American Scholar Teams for Division I.

The pair is among 368 Division I golfers to earn the honor, which has one of the most stringent criteria in college athletics with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

With a stroke average of 82.77 over 22 rounds this past season, Kleckner tied for second on the team in scoring for the 11 events in which she competed.  The sophomore posted three top-10 finishes on the season, including a pair of top-five efforts.  Kleckner earned the individual title in the Tennessee State Fall Classic, an event which featured her season-low round of 75.  She also earned Horizon League All-Academic Team honors.

Kleckner sports a 3.95 cumulative grade point average as a meteorology major.

Pfaender led Valpo with an 81.65 stroke average over 17 rounds during the 2011-2012 season in the 10 events in which she competed.  She shot a school record round of 74 at the Butler Invitational, and carded three top-10 finishes on the year, including a pair of top-five efforts.  The sophomore was named Horizon League Golfer of the Week after her third place showing at the IPFW Spring Classic.

Pfaender carries a 3.65 cumulative grade point average double majoring in psychology and political science.

The NGCA is a non-profit organization representing women’s collegiate golf coaches.