July 19, 2002

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Mike Urbatchka and Kurt Kowaluk, both members of the University of Wyoming men's golf team, were recently honored by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) with postseason honors. Urbatchka, a senior from Sheridan, Wyo., was named to the 15-man PING All-Southwest Region team. Kowaluk, a junior from Lively, Ontario, was one of only 86 men's golfers from across the nation to earn Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar honors.

The GCAA selected All-Region teams in nine different regions around the country. Urbatchka enjoyed the best season of his Wyoming career as a senior in 2001-02. He concluded his senior season by being named to the Mountain West Conference All-Conference team, and he earned a bid to the 2002 NCAA West Regional in Albuquerque, N.M. The GCAA All-Region teams were sponsored by PING Golf.

"I am excited for Mike (Urbatchka)," said UW men's golf coach Joe Jensen. "Mike finished up a very fine college career with some wonderful accolades. The honors he has received this year were a reflection of his hard work and commitment."

Kowaluk received GCAA All-America Scholar athlete honors by achieving over a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average, while competing in at least 70 percent of his team's competitions. The GCAA All-America Scholar team is sponsored by Cleveland Golf. Kowaluk competed in all 10 of Wyoming's 2001-02 tournaments. He posted three Top 25 tournament finishes during his junior year, with his best finish being a 17th place showing at the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate in Denver, Colo. Kowaluk is majoring in finance with an emphasis in international business.

"Kurt is the epitome of what a student-athlete should be," said Jensen. "He achieves in both the classroom and on the golf course. I am excited to have him back for another year."

The awards were announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America at its national awards dinner in Columbus, Ohio.