May 23, 2005

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Junior golfer Austin Luher has been selected as this week's "Athlete of the Week" by the Army Athletic Association for his brilliant performance at the 2005 NCAA East Regional this past weekend at The Golf Club of Tennessee in Nashville, Tenn.

Luher started off strong in the opening round, shooting an even-par 71, the lowest round carded by an Army golfer in the tournament. His second round on Friday was highlighted by an eagle on the par-four 15th, which helped him complete the back nine at -2 and post a second round score of 73.

A native of Vancouver, Wash., Luher birdied four holes in the third and final round and wrapped up the weekend with a 76 to bring his 54-hole tally to 220. That composite score broke the Academy record by an individual at the NCAA Regional event by two strokes. The previous mark was held by teammate Scott Manley (2004) and 1993 USMA grad Brent Mumford (1991).

A mainstay in Army's lineup this season, Luher owned the lowest stroke average on the squad during the spring campaign at 75.7 and was one of two Black Knights to appear in all 19 rounds. He also turned in a strong fall season, owning a 75.8 stroke average spanning five tournaments.

Luher was named to the All-Patriot League second team last month, helping the Black Knights win their third conference crown in the last four years and ninth overall.