CANYON, Texas (Jan. 31, 2020) – Former Oklahoma Christian golf standout Axel Ochoa was named Friday as the men's golf head coach at OC's Lone Star Conference rival, West Texas A&M.

Ochoa, a four-time All-America player at OC from 2007-2011, replaces Eric Moore, who stepped down earlier this month to become an assistant coach at Tulsa, a NCAA Division I program.

Ochoa has served since August 2017 as an assistant women's coach at NCAA Division II power Grand Valley State (Mich.). During that time, the Lakers won a pair of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles with two trips to the Division II Championship tournament.

"Axel Ochoa is a rising star in college golf and I am excited to be able to get him to WT this early in his career," West Texas A&M athletic director Michael McBroom said. "It became evident very early in the process that his pedigree, philosophies and goals for his players would be a terrific fit with our mission and values at WT.

"He is a proven champion and has been mentored by some of the best coaches in college golf. There is no question he is ready to lead his own program. I am thrilled for our players and look forward to seeing what this program will accomplish in the coming years."

Ochoa, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, played on OC teams that won NAIA titles in 2009 and 2011, finishing as the individual runner-up to teammate Oscar Stark in the latter tournament. The Eagles were the NAIA team runners-up in 2008 and 2010. Ochoa made the NAIA All-America second-team list as a freshman in 2008 and the first-team list as a sophomore, junior and senior.

Individually, he won four tournaments while at OC and holds the program's single-round scoring record, an 8-under-par 63 he posted in a tournament hosted by Sam Houston State at Ravens Nest Golf Club in Huntsville, Texas, in October 2010. Ochoa ranks fifth on OC's career scoring list at 73.1 over 120 rounds.

Following his collegiate career, Ochoa played on the NGA Pro Golf Tour for one season and worked in multiple positions in the sport. He's been the owner and head golf recruiter of his own website, which helps connect South American golfers with universities in the U.S. In addition to his work in golf, Ochoa has also held jobs as a commercial analyst and public relations and sales manager in Buenos Aires.

"Axel is a gifted golfer and is ultracompetitive in everything he does," said his college coach, current OC men's golf coach David Lynn. "He has had the opportunity to serve as an assistant at Grand Valley State, being exposed to their highly successful women's golf program. I believe Axel is ready and understands what it takes to lead a team of his own. His competitive drive and his skill set will allow him to lead and develop individuals into a highly successful teams at West Texas A&M University."

Ochoa thanked McBroom and the hiring committee at West Texas A&M "for believing in me and giving me this great opportunity, I could not be more excited to coach at a place like WT. … I also want to thank David Lynn from Oklahoma Christian University for all his guidance throughout all these years, I've learned a lot from him and will use many of his teachings in this new role."

Ochoa and his wife, Jenna – who's also an OC alum – are the proud parents of a daughter, Josie.