Cabezas Named Finalist for 2026 NJCAA Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award; Three Gila Monsters Earn PING All-District Honors

THATCHER, Ariz. — Eastern Arizona College men’s golf head coach Conrado Cabezas has been named a finalist for the 2026 NJCAA Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award following an impressive 2025-26 campaign for the Gila Monsters.

In addition, Eastern Arizona golfers Pavel Casas, John Kaul, and Alexander Yap were each recognized with PING All-District honors for their performances throughout the season.

In his sixth season leading the program, Cabezas guided Eastern Arizona to nine consecutive top-three finishes, including three team victories during the year.

The Gila Monsters claimed the NJCAA West District Championship on April 24 by 10 strokes. Eastern Arizona also captured first-place finishes at the Gila Monster Shootout on April 14 by six strokes and the Lions Spring Classic on January 28 by one stroke.

Since October, Eastern Arizona has not finished outside the top three in tournament competition.

Casas earned medalist honors at the NJCAA West District Championship with a two-stroke victory and added an individual title at the Gila Monster Shootout by one stroke. Yap also secured an individual championship during the fall season, winning the OUAZ Fall Invite on October 7.

Cabezas and the Gila Monsters will now turn their attention to postseason competition as Eastern Arizona continues its pursuit of national success at Sand Creek Station in Newton, KS this weekend.