Official Release (PDF)

MACON, Ga. – Led by first-year head coach Bryant Odom, Kennesaw State is well represented on the 2016 Atlantic Sun Conference men's golf all-conference team that was announced on Thursday (April 28).
 
Odom was named the conference's coach of the year after leading the Owls to the A-Sun Conference title. Junior Christopher Guglielmo was tabbed first-team all-conference, while sophomore Fredrik Nilehn was named to the second team. Jake Fendt and Pablo Rodriguez-Tabernero Torres were voted to the all-freshman team by the conference coaches.
 
In his first season leading Kennesaw State, Odom guided the Owls to 11 top 10 finishes, including seven top five showings, the program's second A-Sun Conference championship and sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
"Being named Coach of the Year is a tremendous honor and one of my career goals," Odom said. "It is only made possible by the players on my team, my assistant coach and support from the KSU Athletics staff and administration.  
 
"My players have embraced the philosophies and culture that I envision and my administrators support and provide our student-athletes with the best resources for success," Odom added. "I'd also like to thank the other head coaches in the Atlantic Sun for their vote.  I am privileged to be a part of a conference that has such talented coaches, players and teams."

Odom becomes the second Kennesaw State head coach to earn coach of the year honors, joining Jay Moseley who received the recognition in 2011.
 
Guglielmo is enjoying his finest season as an Owl as he leads the team with a 72.86 scoring average in 29 rounds. He has recorded seven top 20 finishes, including three Top 10s, with his best showing coming at the A-Sun Conference Championships where he tied for fourth.
 
"Chris has come a long way this year in some intangibles that have allowed him to really step up his golf game," Odom said. "Chris is capable of winning tournaments every time he tees it up and earning first team selection should be a boost to his confidence and a reward for all of his work this semester."
 
Nilehn ranks second on the team with a 73.03 stroke average in a team-leading 32 rounds. He has posted five top 20 finishes, including three top 10s. Nilehn's best finish was a second-place showing at the Pinetree Intercollegiate during the fall.
 
"Fredrik is such a consistent player and a great asset to our top five scores each week. We can always rely on Fred to post a solid number even when he gets off of to a slow start in the round," Odom said. "His all-conference selection is much deserved."  
 
Fendt and Rodriguez-Tabernero Torres have made immediate contributions during their rookie seasons.
 
Fendt has competed in 29 rounds and recorded a 73.93 stroke average. He has six top 20 showings, including three top 10s, with his best finish resulting in a tie for eighth at the Rees Jones Invitational, Linger Longer Invitational and A-Sun Conference Championships.
 
"Jake has been a wonderful addition to the team and made an immediate impact as a freshman," Odom said. "His golf maturity is comparable to upperclassmen and his talents will take him into more conference and national awards in the coming years."  
 
Tabernero-Rodriguez Torres has a 74.42 scoring average in 26 rounds with two top 10 finishes. He tied for ninth at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships and Pinetree Intercollegiate.
 
"Pablo also made an immediate impact as a freshman and is such an exciting player to watch," Odom said. "He is also very mature on the course and a very hard worker in practice.
 
"I am very excited for Jake and Pablo to receive All-Freshman accolades and look forward to the next three years with them on the team," Odom added.  

Fendt and Rodriguez-Tabernero Torres become the first KSU rookie tandem to earn all-freshman honors in the same the season.
 
Kennesaw State will now turn its attention to Thursday, May 5, when the announcement of the 81-team field to the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships will be made live on the Golf Channel's Morning Drive show at 9:30 a.m. (ET).    
 
Keep up with Owls men's golf by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMensGolf or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.