SIOUX FALLS -- From the first day he arrived at the University of Sioux Falls, senior Jacob Zosel has felt a tremendous sense of belonging. And, the days that have followed only cemented that feeling.

Today, for his commitment to the University of Sioux Falls and its underlying mission, Jacob Zosel, a member of the USF Golf Team from Morris, Minn., was named the Representative Man of the Year during USF's Spirit of Excellence Awards. He was among several USF student-athletes honored (see awards list below) during the annual event to honor USF students for their hard work, dedication and commitment in the classroom or co-curricular activities and service work.

 

"I am humbled by this honor," said Zosel, the son of Tom and Mary Zosel of Morris, Minn. "It has truly an honor to be at USF and part of this wonderful family of teammates, students, coaches, faculty and everyone here," he added.

The Representative Man and Woman awards are given to two individuals who exemplify the ideal USF student—an individual committed to the University and the purposes for which it was founded. Final selection is determined by the senior class, which chooses from those nominated. This is the highest honor given to a student by the entire campus community. Hannah DeHoogh-Kliewer of Sioux Falls was USF's Representative Woman Award recipient.

Zosel, the Representative Man recipient, is a leader on the USF Men's Golf Team, who became the first in the school's NCAA DII program history to earn a berth to the NCAA DII Central Regional Tournament. He and his teammates will compete at the regional on May 5-8 at Shoal Creek Golf Club in Kansas City, Mo.

Zosel calls USF community "special"

Named to the Academic All-NSIC team two straight years, Zosel is an emerging leader in the life of the church and has taken his heart for ministry to the golf team by starting a scripture of the week via Instagram to encourage his teammates and other USF students. He is also a founder of the Yahweh Podcast to encourage young adults in their faith. Additionally, he has served on the SAAC as the Golf's Team representative for three years. He regularly attends FCA and is part of Worship nights.

At USF, he is studying educational studies, theology, and youth ministry and is in his fourth year on the USF Men's Golf Team. Off the course, Zosel is very involved with the campus community and strives to be committed to the university and all it stands for. 

"This community is truly special and one that I will miss. I have always felt this sense of belonging and it is because it feels like family here. This spring, my teammates - my brothers - and I have had such a great experience and now we get to go to regionals. That is going to be fun," he said.

In developing his own faith, he has shared the gospel through his podcast and involvement in worship activities. "It is an honor to be able to share the gospel. I am so grateful to have a relationship with Jesus and it has brought me so much purpose and joy in life and I want to share that with others," he said.

Zosel has excelled on the golf course since arrival

Throughout his career, Zosel has proven to be an integral member of not only the golf team, but also the campus community.  In 2021, he was part of a men's golf team that finished third in the NSIC Championships, which was a program-best.  The Men's Team is ranked seventh in the region after a spring season of significant success, including five straight top-five finishes.

So far this season, Zosel has played 19 rounds in seven total events, is averaging 76.11 on a 1446 total rounds this season, with a low score of 70 shot in the third round of the Hillcat Classic on March 16. He placed in a tie for 17th at the NSIC Championships with a 15-over par three-round total of 228 (76-79-73).

In the 2019-2020 season, Zosel was named to the Academic All-NSIC Team (3.2 GPA or better) for a second straight year, and he was also named to the NSIC's Academic Team of Excellence (3.6 GPA or better) for a second straight year. Zosel competed in all six events totaling 13 rounds, and his best round was a 72 (shot three times), at the Augustana Invite, the Holiday Inn Express Classic, and the Warrior Vegas Invite. Zosel fired on all cylinders at the Augustana Invite, winning the individual title at a season-best 146 (72-74), and helping USF to a team title. His 75.54 strokes per round average was 3rd best on the team, and he was an D2 ADA Academic Achievement Recipient.

In the 2018-2019 season, Zosel competed in nine events for a total of 20 rounds. His best round came in his first round of the year at the BSU Invite where he shot a 69, his career-best two-round total came to 144 (69-75), and he ended up placing second. Zosel totaled three top-10 finishes on the year, with three rounds at or under par, and he competed in the NSIC Championships where he had a three round total of 234 (77-81-76), giving him a 27th place finish. His 77.4 average per round was third best on the team..

In his first season of competition in 2017-2018, Zosel competed in eight events totaling 19 rounds. His best round came in his first round of the year when he shot a 71 at the BSU Invite, where he finished with a two round total of 146 (71-75), giving him a 13th place finish. His best meet finish came on the biggest stage at the NSIC Men's Golf Championship, where he tied for ninth by shooting a 226 (79-74-73), giving him the second best score for USF at the meet. His 77.53 shots per round average was second best on the team.

OTHER USF STUDENT ATHLETES HONORED - SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS CEREMONY

Purple Feather Awards - Kayla Andersen (Track and Field), Emily Applegate (Tennis), Mercy Oyadare (Track and Field), Elizabeth Spaans (Swimming), Jacob Zosel (Men's Golf)
Celebrating Academic Achievement in Education -- McKenna Comstock (Track and Field) 
Vucurevich School of Business Honors -- Emmie Uitts (Softball), Outstanding Entrepreneurial Studies Senior; Matt French (Baseball), Outstanding Sports Management Senior
Celebrating Academic Achievement in Business -- Matt French (baseball); Joseph Timp (Football), Aaron Voigt (Track and Field/Cross Country), Nathan Woodall (Men's Golf)
LAR Writing Award -- Ben Morrison (tie, third place)
The W.O Knight Award -- Logan Hansen (Track and Field/Cross Country)
Celebrating Academic Achievement in the Humanties -- Logan Hansen (Track and Field/Cross Country)
Natural Sciences -- Outstanding Overall Natural Sciences Senior -- Krista Goerger (Volleyball); Outstanding Chemistry Senior -- Krista Goerger (Volleyball); Outstanding Computer Science Senior -- Nate Andrusick (Track and Field); Outstanding Mathematics Senior -- Nina Groene (Swimming); Outstanding Chemistry Freshman -- Moriah Bullerman (Track and Field); Outstanding Computer Science Freshman -- Christian Lietz (Track and Field)
Celebrating Academic Achievement in Natural Sciences -- Moriah Bullerman (Track and Field), Ally Beresford (Volleyball), David Ecker (Track and Field/Cross Country), Krista Goerger (Volleyball), Peyton Kriegel (Volleyball), Christian Lietz (Track and Field), Samantha Mullvain (Swimming)
Social Sciences -- Outstanding Criminal Justice Senior -- Mercy Oyadare (Track and Field); Outstanding Exercise Science Senior -- Alex Sanchez-Clark (Swimming); Outstanding Sociology Senor -- Payton Livingston (Baseball)
Celebrating Academic Achievement in the Social Sciences -- Logan Hansen (Track and Field/Cross Country), Chantal Kasch (Swimming), Anna Kenny (Track and Field), Rachel Klatt (Tennis), Payton Livingston (Baseball), Cassidy O'Meara (Track and Field/Cross Country), Mercy Oyadare (Track and Field), Aleah Rohde (Swimming), Paulina Ruelas (Swimming), Alex Sanchez-Clark (Swimming), Domenica Solano (Swimming); Elizabeth Spaans (Swimming), Taylor Stoltz (Track and Field), Kylan Straight (Softball)
Visual Arts -- Outstanding Visual Arts Student -- Gigi Bario; Outstanding Graphic Design Student - Lauren Gallick
Alpha Chi National College Honor Society -- Krista Goerger (Volleyball), Rachel Klatt (Tennis), Payton Livingston (Baseball), Samantha Mullvain (Swimming)
Academic Awards - Summa Cum Laude (3.9-4.0) -- Logan Hansen (Track and Field/Cross Country), Chantal Kasch (Swimming), Rachel Klatt (Tennis), Payton Livingston (Baseball), Mercy Oyadare (Track and Field), Aleah Rohde (Swimming), Alex Sanchez-Clark (Swimming), Taylor Stoltz (Track and Field), Brianna Whisler (Tennis)
Academic Awards - Magna Cum Laude (3.80-3.9) -- Amanda Dagostino, Lily Frederickson (Soccer), Lexi Hanson (Women's Golf), Lindsey Power (Soccer), Ben Sokup (Football), Cassie Van Beek (Softball)
Academic Awards -- Cum Laude (3.70-3.79) -- Nina Groene (Swimming), Sydney Hubbard (Women's Golf), Lexi Jonas (Women's Golf), Rachel Klassen (Softball), Ryan Meyer (Baseball), Frankie Mickelson (Softball), Kyleigh Moran (Women's Golf), Bailey Rudebusch (Track and Field),