MCC golfer to sign with Troy University

From school reports

On Wednesday, Justin Eaves will become the 15th Meridian Community College golfer in the past decade to ink with a four-year university.

Eaves, currently a sophomore for the Eagles, will sign a national letter-of-intent to attend Troy University and play golf for head coach Matt Terry. Eaves will join former MCC Eagle and current Troy golfer Jordy Hayden when he enrolls at Troy the fall of 2007.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to play at Troy,” Eaves said." I think that having a former teammate, a former MCC golfer on the team there already will help me get acquainted with the program."

This fall, Eaves has shot even-par or better at least one round in five tournaments for MCC, including a 3-under par 69 in the final round of the MCC/Rush Fall Invitational. He is currently ranked 21st among NJCAA Div II golfers with a 74.2 tournament scoring average. Eaves was the medalist runner up at the 2006 Belhaven Invitational after shooting a 2-under par final round of 70.

"Justin is not only a great player but equally a great young man who provides leadership on and off the course," MCC golf coach Sean Covich said. "He is a member of our All-Academic team and our sophomore team captain. Troy is getting an outstanding student-athlete."

As a freshman Eaves led the MCC Eagle golf team to six tournament victories and a third-place finish in the 2006 NJCAA Div II National Championship. He was named first-team, All-State and All-Region after shooting 69-72 (141) in the MACJC/Region XXIII Championship.

In the NJCAA National Championship, Eaves led all MCC golfers with an even-par 288 (73-69-77-69). His four-day total earned him All American and All Tournament Team honors at the National Championship.

In high school, Eaves led Winston Academy to three MPSA state championships.