Munoz wins Edith Cummings Munson Award


Not only is Azahara Munoz the top female golfer in the NCAA, but she is also the top student in NCAA women's golf. In addition to winning the NCAA Individual Championship, Munoz was also the recipient of this year's Edith Cummings Munson Award.

The award goes to the student-athlete who is both a National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American Scholar and an NGCA All-American. If more than one student-athlete qualifies, the student-athlete with the highest GPA receives the award. A donation of $5,000 is given from the Curtis & Edith Cummings Munson Foundation to the general scholarship fund of the recipient's institution. Munoz, who carries over a 3.9 in psychology, is the first Sun Devil to win the award as well as the first NCAA Individual Champion title.

"I am so happy for Aza," said head coach Melissa Luellen, who the 1988 NCAA Individual Champion. "I was jumping up and down when she made [her put in the playoff] in. All the girls on the team were crying. It was just one of the moments in sports."

"Aza is the total package," continues Luellen. "She's a beautiful girl, great student, awesome golfer. It was great that her first tournament win was the biggest one you can get in NCAA golf."

Munoz and teammate sophomore Anna Nordqvist were both named NGCA First-Team All-Americans. Nordqvist finished tied for fifth. Munoz had previously been named an NGCA Second-Team All-American the past two seasons while Nordqvist was named to the first-team last season.

Both Munoz and Nordqvist were honored with NGCA Academic All-American honors as well. The requirement for NGCA Academic All-America is a 3.5 or higher. Both Munoz and Nordqvist had earned the honor each of their previous seasons at ASU.

The Sun Devil women's golf team finished fifth overall. They were one stroke away from taking home a trophy, which is given to the top four teams.

"Although I'm bummed we missed taking home a trophy by one stroke, I'm thrilled with a top five finish," says Luellen. "I'm very proud of the girls."