NORMAN, Okla.- Three members of the Villanova golf team were honored last week for their combination of academic and athletic success during the past year.  Graduate student Matthew Copeland, senior Noah Peck, and sophomore Peter Weaver were each named by the GCAA as 2021-22 NCAA Division I All-American Scholars; this was the first time the Wildcats have had three honorees. The prestigious honor is presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf. In addition to the individual recognition, Villanova achieved the distinction of Presidents Special Recognition from the GCAA for having a team GPA above a 3.5 for the 2021-22 academic year.

To be eligible for Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their Associate's Degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they must participate in 50 percent of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, under 78.0 in NCAA Division II, under 79.0 in NCAA Division III, under 78.0 in NAIA, and under 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.

Copeland transferred to Villanova for the 2021-22 season and appeared in all 12 tournaments.  After competing in all 31 rounds, the graduate student posted a 73.26 stroke average, second lowest on the team.  At the OBX/ODU Intercollegiate he finished tied for fourth, shooting -6 (207).  Also posted his lowest score for a single round at OBX/ODU at 68 in the final round. Copeland's best finish came at the Columbia Spring Invitational, finish tied for second place, one stroke behind the leader at +1 (141). 

Peck competed in 10 tournaments and 26 rounds played during his senior season.  He had a 74.42 stroke average, third lowest on the team.  His lowest round of 70 happened twice, at the Doc Gimmler Invitational and the OBX/ODU Intercollegiate.  Peck's best finish and score to par came at the City 6 Invitational, tying for third place and shooting even (71).  The Columbia Spring Invitational saw the senior shoot his lowest 36 hole score of 142, with back to back round of 71 (+2, T-5th). 

Weaver was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team during a record-breaking year for Villanova.  This season he set a new program record for lowest stroke average at 72.26, had been held since the 2009-10 season.  In all 12 tournaments, with all counting toward team scores in 31 rounds played finished the season with 10 placements inside the top-20.  Weaver earned his first career individual title at the Doc Gimmler Invitational in the fall, shooting -4 (206) and also placed first at the Golden Horseshoe Intercollegiate in March after carding a +1 (214).  In both wins, he had his lowest round score of 67 in the final round of the Doc Gimmler and the first round of the Golden Horseshoe.  At the OBX/ODU Intercollegiate, his score of -1 (212) helped Villanova break the program record for lowest score in a 54-hole tournament.