CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The University of Charleston's William Carestam outlasted teammate Carlos Mortera in a one-hole playoff to capture Mountain East Conference Player of the Year honors at the conclusion of Tuesday's MEC Spring Classic.
The annual spring golf event, held Monday and Tuesday at Berry Hills Country Club, determined the MEC's top individual honors: Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and all-conference teams. The awards were determined by individual performances during five MEC-sponsored rounds of golf, three of which occurred during the fall at Cobb Course at the Resort at Glade Springs, combined with the two-day event at Berry Hills.
Carestam, a sophomore from Gothenburg, Sweden, and Mortera, a sophomore from Gijon, Spain, had a five-round average of 73.6 following Tuesday's second round in rainy conditions. Carestam shot a 76 on Tuesday, while Mortera finished with a 78, producing the two-way tie and sudden-death playoff. Mortera's tee shot went left and the second shot fell short of the green, while Carestam reached the green in two and sank a birdie putt to capture Player of the Year honors.
Davis & Elkins' Aiden Talent, one of six All-MEC first team performers, was named the Freshman of the Year as the top rookie performer. He had a five-round total of 75.6, and shot a 75 during Tuesday's round.
UC head coach Will Johnson was named the MEC Men's Golf Coach of the Year.
Joining Carestam, Mortera, and Talent on the first team were Davis & Elkins' Lucio Pavicich, West Liberty's Brogan Bennett, and UC's Erik Ulvang. Bennett captured the MEC's men's golf individual title during the fall event in Daniels, West Virginia, firing a four-under 68 during the second round and never relinquishing the lead. Bennett, Mortera, Carestam, and Ulvang were all named to the MEC all-tournament team in the fall.
The MEC recognizes six first-teamers, six second-teamers, and six for honorable mention. A four-way tie increased the number of All-MEC second team selections to nine this season, leaving three individuals who received honorable mention recognition.
After this week's two-round event at Berry Hills, Pavicich was the top performer at six-over-par. He finished two strokes ahead of Carestam.
UC topped the team leaderboard at +36, with Davis & Elkins, Fairmont State, Glenville State, and West Liberty rounding out the top five.
2024-25 Men's Golf Awards Winners and All-Conference Teams
Player of the Year: William Carestam (Charleston)
Freshman of the Year: Aidan Talent (Davis & Elkins)
Coach of the Year: Will Johnson (Charleston)
First Team
William Carestam (Charleston)
Carlos Fernandez Mortera (Charleston)
Lucio Pavicich (Davis & Elkins)
Brogan Bennett (West Liberty)
Erik Ulvang (Charleston)
Aidan Talent (Davis & Elkins)
Second Team
Ryan Oro (Charleston)
Elias Jarn (Davis & Elkins)
Justin Doerr (West Liberty)
Philippe Van der Linden (West Virginia Wesleyan)
Jayson Beckner (West Liberty)
Caleb Young (Fairmont State)
Fermin Perez Santandrea (Glenville State)
Kunakorn Tang (West Virginia State)
Honorable Mention
Mateo Ferrer (Davis & Elkins)
Jack Hayes (Fairmont State)
Bumin Choi (Glenville State)
