Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
WAC Conference Championship (Sunnyside Country Cub)
Bulldogs Sweep WAC Championships
4/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 23, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. -
Fresno State women's golf team had an all-star day capturing its first WAC title in the four year program. The Bulldogs overcame a seven-stroke deficit beginning the final round today to win the 2008 WAC women's golf championship by seven strokes over New Mexico State at the 6,125-yard, par-72 Sunnyside Country Club in Fresno, Calif. The team victory by the Bulldogs earns Fresno State an automatic bid into the NCAA regionals, May 8-10.
Fresno State had a tournament-best round of 295 on Wednesday to finish with a three-day total of 905 (+41) to win its first team title of the season. The Bulldogs jumped over second-round leader Hawai'i,which shot a 314 in the final round to finish in third place with a 917 (+53). New Mexico State also leapt over the Rainbow Wahine with a 298 today to finish in second with a three-day total of 912 (+48). Fresno State was led by the four-time First-Team All-WAC senior Laura Luethke.
Luethke claimed the individual title with a stellar performance shooting 73-74-73 - 220. Luethke started the third round tied for second two-strokes back before battling all day with New Mexico State's Suteera Chanachai and Corie Hou of Hawaii.
"It felt really good today playing and winning in my last tournament," said Luethke. "Angie was very helpful today in helping me relax. It feels good to finish in a positive way and have everything come together."
Luethke tallied nine birdies the most in the field, throughout the three day tournament and two crucial birdies Wednesday to clinch the win. The win marks Luethke's fifth career win at Fresno State and an improvement after tying for second at the 2007 WAC Championships. Luethke who was the first Fresno State recruit and the first Bulldog to go through the program in four years wrote the record books for the women's golf program.
"I'm so proud of her," said 2008 WAC Coach of the Year, Angie Cates. "I think myself and most of Fresno wanted her to win today for all she has done for Fresno State golf. I spent most of the day with her today to make sure she was enjoying every moment. She played very solid golf with two birdies and a lot of par saving putts. She deserves it more than anybody helping build this program from the ground up. "
The Bulldog squad proved strong with all five players finishing in the top-20. Taylor Siebert and Hali Coppin both tied for ninth place finishing 11-over par with 227. Siebert shot two-over par 74 in the third round to help seal Fresno State's victory. Coppin shot the low round for the Bulldogs with an even 72 to mark her first top-10 finish with scores of 79-76-72 - 226.
Pia Escandon finished in 13th place with 15-over par 231. Escandon who went 80-75-76 - 231 also had her best finish of the season. Chelsea Czinski continued the streak by having another season best finish. Czinski tied for 18th place with 20-over par shooting 81-79-76 - 236.
"We had a lot of confidence going into this tournament after the Western Regional Preview," Cates said. "Winning the WAC has been our number one goal every year, but especially this year since we were hosting. I don't think what we accomplished today has hit any of us yet. I know we are going to enjoy every moment taking a few days off and then we will start working hard and get ready for regionals."
The best round of the tournament came today when Boise State's Lindsey Shean shot a 2-under 70 while San Jose State's Cristina Corpus posted a 1-under 71.
Along with the WAC Championship win the Bulldogs and head coach Angie Cates earned multiple WAC honors. Angie Cates earned her second WAC Coach of the Year honor after her performance this season. Senior Laura Luethke earned her fourth First-Team All-WAC and Taylor Siebert earned Second-Team All-WAC.
2007-08 WAC Awards
First Team All-WAC
Laura Luethke, Sr., Fresno State
Xyra Suyetsugu, Sr., Hawai'i
Kelly Nakashima, Sr., Idaho
Suteera Chanachai, Fr., New Mexico State
Erica Moston, Jr., San Jose State
Second Team All-WAC
Taylor Siebert, Jr., Fresno State
Amanda Jacobs, So., Idaho
Melanie DeLeon, Jr., Nevada
Katrina Delen Briones, Fr., San Jose State
Cristina Corpus, So., San Jose State
Player of the Year: Erica Moston, San Jose State
Freshman of the Year: Suteera Chanachai, New Mexico State
Coach of the Year: Angie Cates, Fresno State
Players Mentioned
