Sam Houston’s Shelby Hardy and Kirsten Spittler have been named as second-team selections on the Southland Conference women’s golf team for 2010.

In addition, the Bearkats’ Meghann Stevens was named as the league’s 2010 "Newcomer of the Year."

Hardy, Spittler and Stevens combined to help lead Sam Houston State to a runner-up team finish in last week’s Southland Conference women’s golf championship tournament hosted by SHSU at Raven’s Nest Golf Course in Huntsville.

Hardy and Spittler tied for individual runner-up honors in the Southland tournament. The pair also finished one and two in stroke average for Sam Houston this year. Hardy, a freshman from San Saba, posted a 77.25 average with six top 10 performances during the school year (4 of which were Top 5) while Spittler, a sophomore from Austin, produced a 77.8 scoring average with five top 10 individual finishes (2 of which were Top 5).

Stevens, a junior from Katy who transferred to Sam Houston from Northwood Institute in Cedar Hill, played in nine tournaments this year. Her top performance was a sixth place finish at Southeastern Louisiana. She was 24th in the Southland Conference tournament.

"This is just a terrific honor for all three girls," Sam Houston women’s golf coach Tommy Chain said. "To have a freshman and a sophomore both earn All-Southland honors bodes well for the future of the program. They had an outstanding season and its great to see the girls rewarded."

Twelve student-athletes and a student manager and trainer were honored as "Most Valuable" for their sports at the annual Sam Houston State All-Sports Banquet Monday night at the Lowman Student Center. Shelby Hardy was named MVP of Women’s Golf for the 2009-2010 season.

Shelby produced a remarkable record during her first season at Sam Houston. She placed among the top 10 individuals in six of the nine tournaments in which she played; she led the Bearkats in stroke average and she tied for runner-up honors at the 2010 Southland Conference championships.

2009-10 All-Southland Conference Women’s Golf Teams

Rebecca Sorensen Central Arkansas

Krista Puisite, Texas State

Valdis Jonsdottir, Texas State

Paola Valerio, UTSA

Shelly Martinez, UTSA

Second Team

Kirsten Spittler, Sam Houston State

Shelby Hardy, Sam Houston State

Courtney Peeler, Texas A&M-CC

Linda Persson, Lamar

Summer Batiste, UTSA

Player of the Year - Rebecca Sorensen, Central Arkansas

Freshman of the Year - Krista Puisite, Texas State

Newcomer of the Year - Meghann Stevens, Sam Houston State

Coach of the Year - Mike Akers, Texas State