DOWAGIAC — For the third consecutive year, the Dowagiac boys golf team has earned Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Division 3 Academic All-State.

Senior Lewis Hartsig also earned individual academic all-state.

“Our players understand that they are student-athletes and the student comes first for a reason,” said Dowagiac coach Bob Turner. “They spend a lot of time at practice and they do a great job of keeping up with their homework and grades. Just like most sports, you have to be disciplined and responsible to succeed and keeping your grades up is part of both of those.

We have been lucky to have some great parents in the golf program. They are supportive of the team and they expect their kids to do even better in the classroom. It’s a good combination — supportive parents with kids that want to succeed.”

Only seniors can earn individual academic all-state. They must play a minimum of two years of high school golf and have a GPA of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.

The five members of the team most have a combined GPA of at least 3.5. Players who have a 4.0 GPA earn bonus points bases on their grade level.