Valparaiso men’s golf coach David Gring was selected as the Horizon League Coach of the Year, while senior Austin Gaugert (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger) and junior Kyle Henning (Brookfield, Wis./East) were both named to the all-league teams when the Horizon League announced its season awards on Thursday.

The honors are career-first for each of the trio.

Gring presided over a squad that earned victories at the Purdue Midwest Shootout and the Bradley Invitational. The Crusaders recorded six top-three finishes in 11 tournaments.

“I’m overwhelmed and humbled by the Horizon League Coach of the Year award,” Gring said. “I have thirteen guys on our team, and this award is a strong testimony to their tournament performances this year and in the classroom. These guys give their best every day, and it is an honor to coach each one of them.”

Gaugert posted a team-best 74.6 stroke average. He recorded five top-five finishes, including second-place finishes at both the Battle of the Tetons and the Purdue Midwest Shootout. Gaugert recorded nine rounds of par or better on the season.

Henning won medalist honors at the John Dallio Memorial to go along with his 75.3 stroke average. He posted four rounds of par or better and had four top-five finishes on the year.

“Austin and Kyle have been terrific leaders for us all year,” Gring said. “This is a testimony to their work ethic, along with their practice regimen and the attitude they bring to the team. I am very proud of these guys and their achievements this year.”

The Crusaders begin the Horizon League Championship on Friday with the first round at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

“We are excited for this weekend,” Gring said. “We played in a quality tournament last weekend at NC State. We have had a terrific week of practice, and the guys are ready to get the tournament started.”

The winner of the 54-hole tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Championships.