Central’s Paulson lands academic honor

Central College

PELLA— Central College’s Sarah Paulson (Ottumwa) has been named to the National Golf Coaches Association Division III All-America Scholar team.

To qualify for the honor, a player must maintain a 3.5 or better cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale), compete in a minimum of 12 rounds and have a scoring average of 95.0 or lower.

Paulson, a recent graduate, had a 3.71 GPA with a Spanish major. She posted a 78.8 stroke average. Paulson received all-America distinction twice in her career, finishing tied for second at the NCAA championships in May and placing sixth at the 2009 tournament. She was a three-time Iowa Conference MVP and tournament medalist – she missed the 2010 season studying abroad. A team co-captain, Paulson set three school records and was presented the team’s Maurine Timmer MVP Award three times.

Paulson is the fifth women’s golfer to earn NGCA All-America Scholar recognition. Kaurie Kincaid and Molli O’Brien were selected in 2011, Courtney Brooks was cited in 2001 and Kim Doyle was listed in 1986.