NORMAN, Okla.  // Navy's Benjamin Valdez (Stevenson Ranch, Calif.) was among the 556 NCAA Div. I student-athletes who garnered 2024-25 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar honors it was announced on Tuesday afternoon.

A standout in the classroom, Valdez completed his studies in May and earned his degree in quantitative economics. He posted a 3.83 grade-point average and was recognized seven of the eight semesters on the Commandant's List, while earning Dean's List mention five times and Superintendent's List twice. He graduated among the top 15 percent of his class of more than 1,050 students in overall order of merit and the top 13 percent in academic order of merit.

Valdez produced a 75.89 average over the 10 tournaments in which he played this year, placing among the top 20 in three events. He opened the 2024-25 season with a 1-over par 145 to place 12th in leading the Mids to the Alex Lagowitz Memorial team title. He went on to close out the spring with a ninth-place showing at the Commander-In-Chief's Cup where he turned in a 1-over par 145. Making his final appearance for the Midshipmen, he turned in a 7-over par 217 to finish 20th at the Patriot League Championship. He shot a team-low 2-under par 68 in the second round.

To be eligible for Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their associate's degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they must participate in 50 percent of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at their college or university.

### Go Navy ###