MALIBU, Calif. – Graduate students Derek Hitchner and Roberto Nieves, from the Pepperdine men's golf team, garnered Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-America Scholar acclaim, as announced the group this week.

It is the fourth-consecutive year and the sixth time since 1993 that two or more Waves have achieved the feat.  This is the fourth-straight honor of its kind for Hitchner and the third nod for Nieves, though his first two were achieved while he was with Delaware.

This year, 555 NCAA Division I athletes from 196 different schools earned 2022-23 GCAA All-America Scholar honors.  There were 18 honorees throughout the West Coast Conference, including four from Pacific, three from Saint Mary's and Santa Clara and two-apiece from BYU, LMU, Gonzaga, San Francisco and Pepperdine.

Hitchner (Minneapolis, Minn.) amassed a 3.925 grade point average while studying American studies as a graduate student this year.  In undergrad, he tabbed a 3.854 GPA after studying political science for a bachelor's degree.  He also earned College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American second team honors earlier this summer, the second time in program history a Pepperdine men's golfer has earned the honor and the 17^th time a Wave from any sport has done so.

Hitchner tied for a team-best 70.74 scoring average this season, while amassing five top-10 finishes and eight top-20 finishes.  He also shot under par 17 times throughout the season.

Nieves (Miami, Fla.) marked a 3.325 grade point average while studying American studies as a graduate student.  He also garnered WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll 'bronze' honors this year.  Nieves produced a 74.04 scoring average this season and shot under par five times.

To be eligible for GCAA 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 the NCAA Division I, and must 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.