May 12, 2008

NORMAN, OKLA. - University of North Carolina freshman Kevin O'Connell is one of 12 collegiate golfers chosen to represent the United States at the 2008 Fuji Xerox USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship, announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America. The 33rd annual competition will be held July 16-18 at Tokyo Golf Club. Team USA leads the all-time series, 24-8, and has won the last eight competitions in Japan.

The 12-member team consists of eight men and four women and will be coached by Mike Morrow of Kent State and Jimmy Stobs of Barry. Besides O'Connell, an All-ACC peformer from Cary, N.C., the other members of the squad are Nick Bova of Methodist, Cydney Clanton of Auburn, Sam Cyr of Point Loma Nazarene, Sydnee Michaels of UCLA, Andrew Putnam of Pepperdine, Lizette Salas of Southern California, Ryan Spears of Wichita State, Zack Sucher of UAB, Brent Wilcher of Valdosta State, Chris Wolfe of Armstrong Atlantic State and Jessica Yadloczky of Florida.

O'Connell, this year's ACC Freshman of the Year, has carded seven top-10 and nine top-20 finishes in Carolina's 10 tournaments. O'Connell has a 71.07 stroke average going into the NCAA West Regional, the low for the team. He has fired 14 scores under-par, 10 of those in the 60s. In addition, he has posted seven even par scores. O'Connell has been Carolina's top performer in seven of 10 tournaments. The Tar Heels will be playing in the NCAA West Regional May 15-17 at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash.