Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
WAC Conference Championship
Dogs Close Out Season in Style
4/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 17, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's golf team saved their best for last by shooting a 290 on the final day of the Western Athletic Conference Championship, marking their lowest round of the season. The Bulldogs' solid performance catapulted them from last place to finishing the tournament in third.
"It was outstanding," head coach Angie Cates-Moore commented. "I am very proud of them."
The Bulldogs (308-315-290--913, +61) also claimed the lowest round of the day and third lowest of the tournament. As a team, the Dogs made a total of 18 birdies in the final round, their most of any round this season, and 33 for the tournament.
The Bulldogs came into the day in last place out of seven WAC teams after shooting a tournament-high 315 Saturday.
"After yesterday we were very disappointed," Cates-Moore remarked. "We met as a team and decided to change our game plan which really paid off today. We also listened to an interview by Charl Schwartzel (the 2011 Masters Champion) and he actually talked about everything we were working on this season. They went out there this morning relaxed and focused and did a fantastic job."
The Dogs were led by Shaylee Yano, a sophomore from Reedley, Calif., who finished the WAC Championship in eighth place, her best finish of the season. Yano (75-78-71--224, +11) fired an even-par, 71 during the final round which was the second-lowest score of the day. She ended her season with a birdie on the 492-yard, par-5 18th.
Freshman Christine Uhalde also set her best finish of the season by tying for 11th place with a 13-over. Just like Yano, Uhalde (75-80-71--226) carded a final round even-par, 71 for the second-lowest score Sunday.
Uhalde sank a final day seven birdies to give her a tournament-best 13. She came into the weekend with a total of 19 birdies over five tournaments.
It was a bittersweet day for senior Chelsea Czinski who played in her final tournament of her collegiate career. Czinski (77-77-75--229, +16) posted a final round 4-over, 75 to put her in a tie for 16th place.
"Chelsea has been one of our go to people in our lineup," Coach Cates-Moore said. "She has made a huge impact for us. She is not only a great player but a fun person to be around. We will miss her tremendously."
Czinski not only played in every tournament this year but led the team in lowest final round average (76.00), 3 par scoring (3.25) and pars per round (10.59).
Czinski finishes her career with a 78.37 scoring average, competed in 35 tournaments and her best finish was a tie for second at the Lamkin Grip/Cal Poly Invitational this past fall.
Junior Louisa Lies shot a 2-over, 73, her best round of the tournament, and ended in a tie for 22nd place. Lies (82-80-73--235, +22) started her round with a bogie on the 1st hole and a triple bogie on the 2nd but was able to settle down and scatter five birdies over the next 16 holes.
After the tournament concluded, Lies was awarded second team all-WAC honors for the second year in a row.
"Louisa had a really good season," Cates-Moore remarked. "Given the injury she has dealt with during the spring season, she has done great. I am very proud of her and how well she has performed. She has really fought hard to get through this season."
Freshman Krysta Clark (81-81-78--240, +27) carded a 7-over, 78 to finish tied for 28th.
San Jose State claimed the WAC Championship title for the third straight year with a 32-over. New Mexico State was only two strokes behind at 34-over. No. 15 Kayla Mortellaro of Idaho took home the individual title after posting a 1-under for the tournament.
Mortellaro was also named the WAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season by the seven head coaches. Freshman of the year honors went to New Mexico State's Demi Mak and Coach of the Year honors went to New Mexico State's Paul Brilliant.
It was also announced that the WAC Championship will be held at Longbow Golf Club again next year.
"It was great to finish on this note since we will play here again next year," Coach Cates-Moore said. "I'm excited about where the program is heading. We had a lot of newcomers that have stepped up. Every freshman has played at least some this year. You can't teach experience. Next year will be a very exciting year."
2010-11 Awards
First Team All-WAC
Demi Mak, Fr., New Mexico State
Suteera Chanachai, Sr., New Mexico State
Teo Poplawski, Jr., Idaho
Kayla Mortellaro, Jr., Idaho
Madeleine Ziegert, Jr., San Jose State
Second Team All-WAC
Hayley Young, So., Boise State
Louisa Lies, Jr., Fresno State
Jamie Yam, Jr., Nevada
Lauren Hernandez, Sr., Nevada
Katrina Delen-Briones, Sr., San Jose State
Player of the Year: Kayla Mortellaro, Jr., Idaho
Freshman of the Year: Demi Mak, New Mexico State
Coach of the Year: Paul Brilliant, New Mexico State
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Players Mentioned
