COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – First-year Tennessee Tech golf coach
Polk Brown didn’t waste any time in finding rising young
talent to help bolster the Golden Eagle rosters. Brown announced
the recent signing of five Tennessee newcomers – two for the
women’s team and three on the men’s – who will
join the Tech programs in 2012-13.
The women’s newcomers are Allison Geer from Doyle and Megan
Williamson from Murfreesboro. Newcomers joining the men’s
squad will be Adam Cunningham of Cookeville, Bryce Kendrick of
Powell and Mitchell Thomas from Farragut.
Allison Geer is the daughter of Terry and Andrea
Geer who is wrapping up her prep career this year at White County
High School. An Honors student, Geer will enroll in nursing.
“From the moment I got this job, I have heard nothing but
awesome things about Allison,” Brown said. “I’m
pumped that she will be one of two girls to usher in my first class
on the women’s side. She is a local product, and from
the conversations I’ve had with her, I can tell that she is
willing to do whatever it takes to help take this team to the next
level. There is no doubt she will bring a fire to the team
during her tenure here.”
Geer has been a standout for four seasons at White County under
head coach Eric Mitchell. A three-time District 6AAA Player of the
Year, she has made back-to-back appearances in the TSSAA state
tournament.
Megan Williamson is the daughter of Todd and Jodi
Williams, and a four-year leader for coach Seth Burt on the
Blackman High School team. Another Honors student, she will study
journalism with a focus on sports broadcasting.
“Megan is very solid. When I saw her play back in
October, her fundamentals and demeanor on the course are what
really stood out to me,” Brown said. “She will need
these throughout her time here at TTU. I think that she is
going be a great addition to our team, and I look forward to seeing
what she brings to the table come next Fall.”
A two-time all-district selection, Williamson was named a Daily
News Journal Athlete of the Week. She qualified for the TSSAA state
tournament each of the past three years, and earned a Top 25 finish
every time. She placed 25th as a sophomore, and climbed
to 12th as a junior and 13th as a senior.
Adam Cunningham is a familiar name in Cookeville area golf. The son of Glenn and Lorna Cunningham, he was a four-year letterman for Cookeville High School golf coach Larry Pitts and also lettered twice for the Cavaliers in tennis. He will major in accounting.
“I am thrilled to have a local player come play for me in
what will be my first recruiting class,” Brown said.
“Adam is a fine young man with tremendous work ethic.
His desire and passion for the game is something I believe
will filter into the rest of my team for many years to come. There
is no doubt he is going to be successful both on and off the
course.”
Cunningham emerged as one of the top high school players in the
state during the past two seasons, earning the Tennessee Male
Golfer of the Year award in 2010 while also receiving All-State
honors when he placed second in the state tournament. He was the
district Player of the Year as a junior and shared the same award
as a senior.
In June, he was took first place in the 87th annual
School Days Tournament.
Bryce Kendrick is the son of David and Elizabeth
Kendrick and a senior at Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville. An
Honor student, he was four-year captain and letterman on the golf
team for coaches Johnny Cox and his father, David Kendrick,
receiving MVP honors all four seasons. He also lettered four years
on the GCA basketball team.
“Bryce was someone who flew underneath the radar for this
class, and I’m so thankful to have been able to get him to
come Tech and represent our golf program,” Brown said.
“I think he will bring a tremendous enthusiasm to our team
with excellent work ethic as well. He has continually improved each
year since taking up the game, and I expect that trend will
continue as he embarks on his career here at TTU.”
Kendrick is a three-time all-region player who also earned
all-state honors as a senior. He placed second in the TSSAA state
tournament with a 36-hole total of four-under par. In the 2011 Prep
Xtra Masters he earned a fourth place finish.
Mitchell Thomas is the son of Cary and Libby
Thomas and a four-year leader on the golf team at Farragut High
School under coach Jonathan Cox. An Honor student, he will study
medical technology.
“Mitchell comes from a town (Farragut) that has produced
many excellent golfers,” Brown said. “I have no doubt
the same will hold true in his case. I believe he will be a
tremendous asset to our squad during his time here. He has a
genuine love of the game, he will be an outstanding teammate for
the rest of the guys who will be here next year. I look forward to
what his future brings here at Tech.”
Thomas is a three-time member of the All-Prep Xtra team and was
the 2011 Region 2 medalist. He helped his team capture four
consecutive district and region championships, as well as state
titles in 2008 and 2009. He has four Junior Tournament wins,
multiple top five finished, and has qualified for the Tennessee
State Amateur and the State Junior Tournament.