Norman, Okla. -- Four Youngstown State men's golf student-athletes have been honored as 2024-25 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), the organization announced on Tuesday.
The quartet of Penguins recognized includes Michael Porter, Jake Ryan, Ryan Sam and Jacob Sylak. Each student-athlete is receiving this academic honor for the first time in their career.
Porter competed in 10 tournaments 25 rounds with a 75.0 strokes-per-round average and a low round of 69 as a redshirt sophomore in 2024-25. The McDonald, Ohio, native earned four top 25 finishes during the 2024-25 campaign. He maintains a 3.81 GPA as an accounting major at YSU.
Ryan participated in 11 tournaments and 28 rounds in 2024-25, averaging 75.0 strokes per round and posting a low round of 68. The Akron, Ohio, native collected five top 25 finishes and a pair of top 10 performances during his sophomore season. He maintains a 3.46 GPA as an education major at Youngstown State.
Sam participated in all 12 tournaments and 31 rounds this past season while averaging 74.3 strokes per round and recording a low round of 69. The Canfield, Ohio, native recorded five top 25 performances during his junior campaign. Sam finished tied for ninth at the Horizon League Championship with a three-round score of 222 (75-76-71) to come in as YSU's top individual. He maintains a 3.70 GPA as a finance major at YSU.
Sylak competed in 10 tournaments and 23 rounds while averaging 75.6 strokes per round and firing a career-low round of 69 as a senior in 2024-25. The Mineral Ridge, Ohio, native posted three top 25 performances including a fourth-place finish at the Red Flash Invitational. He maintained a 3.34 GPA as a business administration major at Youngstown State.
To be eligible for Cobalt 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% of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, 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 their college or university.
556 NCAA Division I athletes from 190 schools earned 2024-25 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar honors.
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