Air Force Academy

May 11, 2010

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -

Air Force senior Tom Whitney is one of 11 athletes who has been named to the Mountain West Conference's 2009-10 men's golf all-conference team, as announced by the league Tuesday afternoon. A native of La Quinta, Calif., Whitney is a repeat honoree, having been named to the all-conference team during the 2008-09 season.

Whitney, who will be the top-seeded individual at next week's NCAA Regional in San Diego, is the third Air Force golfer to earn all-conference honors during the MWC's 11-year history and the second two-time honoree.

The Falcons' school record holder in numerous categories including lowest 18-hole, 36-hole and 54-hole tournament scores, Whitney recorded five top-three finishes and seven top-five finishes during the 2009-10 season, including a win at the Triumph at Pauma Valley in mid-March. He currently holds a season stroke average of 71.4, which is on pace to break the school record of 72.0, which he set during the 2008-09 season.

Also announced Tuesday were the conference's individual awards. Earning MWC Golfer of the Year accolades was UNLV sophomore Derek Ernst, while John Catlin of New Mexico was named MWC Freshman of the Year. Colorado State's Jamie Bermel garnered MWC Coach of the Year honors after leading the Rams to their second conference title in the past three years.

2010 Mountain West Conference Men's Golf Awards

Freshman of the Year: John Catlin, New Mexico

Coach of the Year: Jamie Bermel, Colorado State

All-Conference Team

Tom Whitney, Sr., Air Force

Robbie Fillmore, Sr., BYU

John Catlin, Fr., New Mexico

Riley Arp, Sr., Colorado State

Bryce Hanstad, Sr., Colorado State

Ryan Peterson, Jr., Colorado State

J.J. Spaun, So., San Diego State

Derek Ernst, So., UNLV

Colby Smith, So., UNLV

Johan de Beer, So., TCU

Travis Woolf, Sr., TCU