The Southeastern Conference announced on May 1 that Madison Messimer of the Tennessee women’s golf team has been named SEC Freshman of the Year and earned a place on both the All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Freshman Team. Kyra Van Kan was also recognized, earning a spot on the All-SEC Second Team.
These honors come after what has been described as one of the best seasons in program history for Tennessee women’s golf. Messimer becomes only the fourth Lady Vol to receive SEC Freshman of the Year, joining Violeta Retamoza (2003), Young-A Yang, and another past recipient. Previous winners have gone on to become All-Americans, with two inducted into the University of Tennessee Hall of Fame.
Messimer’s debut season included top ten finishes in seven tournaments and a team-best scoring average of 70.76, which is projected to set a new single-season record for Tennessee. She also matched a program record with 19 rounds at par or better this season and could break that mark during upcoming NCAA regional play. Her spring campaign featured an individual win at the Chris Banister Golf Classic and joint runner-up honors at stroke play during the SEC Championship, where she helped lead Tennessee to its first ever conference title.
Van Kan had her own standout sophomore season, posting four top ten finishes, nine rounds in the 60s, and a scoring average of 71.35 across fifteen rounds at par or better. She opened her year with her first career victory at FAU Paradise Invitational and later secured runner-up status at March’s Chris Banister Golf Classic. At April’s Clemson Invitational she posted strong scores in consecutive rounds for another top five finish. Her performance peaked during match play at the SEC Championship where she won all three matches—including sinking the decisive putt that clinched Tennessee’s historic championship win.
Both athletes are now among thirty-six Lady Vols who have received All-SEC recognition since program inception; they are also Coach Diana Cantú’s first all-conference honorees since taking leadership.
The Lady Vols will next compete in pursuit of their second straight NCAA Championship appearance beginning May 11–13 at Ridgewood Country Club in Waco, Texas.
