Cross, Nevin Named Second-Team All-SEC

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee men's golfers Spencer Cross and Rhys Nevin have both been named second-team All-SEC, the conference announced Wednesday.

The All-SEC teams were voted on by the league's 14 head coaches. In addition to his second-team All-SEC selection, Cross was also named to the SEC Community Service Team.

Cross and Nevin's selections mark the first time since 2010 that Tennessee has two golfers named All-SEC in the same season. With the awards, the duo became the second and third current Vols to be named All-SEC at some point in their careers—joining Hunter Wolcott, who was Second Team All-SEC in 2019.

The conference award marks the second major honor for Cross and Nevin since the conclusion of the abbreviated 2019-20 season. Last month, both golfers were awarded PING All-America Honorable Mention status.

"Spencer and Rhys have both worked very hard at developing the habits necessary to succeed at this level," head coach Brennan Webb said. "Being named All-SEC after also being named All-Americans is a tremendous honor that is very deserved for both of them."

Despite the shortened season, Cross and Nevin both finished the season with impressive final numbers.

Cross rounded out the season second on the team in stroke average with a 71.82 mark through 17 total rounds. In a full season, that mark would ranked as the second-best single season stroke average in program history. For his career, Cross has posted a 73.06 stroke average – currently ninth in program history.

The Sevierville native finished inside the top-30 of each tournament he competed in during the 2019-20 season, including two fourth-place finishes. At the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate in October, Cross shot 204 (-12), which was the best 54-hole score by a Vol since 2017.

"It was always my dream to play at an SEC school and when I had the opportunity to play at the University of Tennessee, I was beyond ready to go," Cross said. "The competition is elite, so it demands a high level of play each week.

"Having been named All-SEC is an honor and it would never have been possible without support from so many people."

Nevin, one of two Vols to compete in all seven tournaments that Tennessee played as a team, finished out the season with a 72.00 stroke average. Nevin currently has a 72.96 career stroke average, which ranks seventh in program history.

The Cheshire, England, native led the team with six top-25 finishes and finished inside the top five on two occasions – the second coming during Tennessee's team win at the Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic.

"To be awarded All-SEC feels great and it's another sign that the work I'm putting in with the coaches and team is paying off," Nevin said. "It's also awesome how Spencer has been recognized for his achievements as well.

"I'm really happy for him. We pushed each other throughout the season and hopefully it inspires the rest of the guys to get themselves on these teams in the future."

Nevin also finished tied with Cross for the team lead in rounds of par or better with 11. Nevin currently ranks eighth in program history with 44 career rounds of par or better.

Due to his participation as part of the third annual VOLeaders Academy class and several other volunteering opportunities, Cross was also selected to the All-SEC Community Service Team.

"God has put us on this earth to do good for others and love one another," Cross said. "We as athletes have a platform to use and help others every chance we can.

"The VOLeaders Academy taught me how to engage in the community and help others every single day. The University of Tennessee pushes its students to be volunteers in the world and it is an honor to be a part of a great university."

University of Tennessee Athletics

Players Mentioned

Spencer Cross

Rhys Nevin

Hunter Wolcott

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