Thursday, April 10, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – Maintaining her spot atop the Great Northwest Athletic Conference women’s golf leader board, Western Washington sophomore Kristen Hansen has helped the Vikings to an average round of 318.3 with her personal conference-high average of 77.5 this season.

Three of Hansen’s teammates are also in the top-10 in the GNAC, with junior Anna Bourland checking in at No. 3 with an average score of 79.3. Audrey Orem (81.1) and Brook Branigan (81.6) rank No. 7 and No. 10, respectively.

Close behind Hansen in second place in the GNAC is another sophomore, Jennifer Liedes of Saint Martin’s. Over 13 round this season, Liedes is averaging a score of 78.2 to pace the Saints. Mandy Wittmier is also in the top-10 for SMU, checking in at No. 6 with an average of 80.3. The duo has helped the Saints to a GNAC third-best team average of 326.4.

Western Washington and Saint Martin’s will each participate in the Tarleton State Doc Housewright Invitational beginning Monday at Harbor Lakes Golf Club in Granbury, Texas. The two-day event will serve as the final rounds for the Vikings and Saints before the GNAC Championships on April 21-22 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho.

Montana State Billings is currently second in the conference with an average team score of 323.6, with Katie Fish checking in at No. 4 individually at 80.1. Capri Ingram and Melissa Saken are also in the top-10 for the ‘Jackets, tied for eighth with an average of 81.4.

Northwest Nazarene freshman Sam Miller has had a big first season, as she currently ranks fifth in the conference with an average round score of 80.3. As a team, the Crusaders are No. 4 with an average score of 340.2.

In fifth place, Simon Fraser is averaging a team score of 352.4 this season. Nicky Jordan has been the top golfer for the Clan, averaging a single round of 83.1.

April Schedule: 14-15 - SMU and WWU at Tarleton State Doc Housewright Invitational, Harbor Lakes Golf Club, Granbury, Texas. 21-22 – MSUB, NNU, SMU, SFU, and WWU at GNAC Championships, Coeur d’Alene Resort, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

RECENT ACTION

Western New Mexico Invitational (March 31 – April 1)

MSUB’s Saken earned Red Lion Golfer of the Week honors, after finishing tied for 11th at the Mustang Invitational at the par 72, 6,160-yard Palm Valley Golf Course in Goodyear, Ariz. Saken shot a two-round total of 153 (79-74), and was the top-finishing GNAC golfer at the event. The Yellowjackets finished in 13th place with a team score of 647 (327-320). 

As a team, Western Washington landed in eighth place among the 17 participating schools, with a mark of 637 (325-312). Bourland was WWU’s top finisher in 21st place with a score of 155 (79-76), and Hansen was two strokes behind at 157 (82-75).

Saint Martin’s posted a team score of 643 (320-323) at the Mustang Invitational, as Liedes led the way with a 16th-place 154 (76-78). 

Northwest Nazarene Invitational (March 31 – April 1)

Miller logged a third-place finish at the NNU Invitational, shooting a 158 (82-76) over two rounds at the par 72, 5,807-yard Ridgecrest Golf Club in Nampa. The Crusaders finished with a team score of 680 (343-337), landing in second behind tournament winner Lewis-Clark State (642; 313-329).

Cal State Monterey Bay Otter Invitational (March 24-25)

The lone GNAC team participating in the Otter Invitational, Montana State Billings finished in 14th place among 15 teams with a score of 672 (339-333). Fish was MSUB’s top individual, logging a two-round total of 165 (83-82) at the par 72, 5,804-yard Blackhorse Golf Course in Seaside, Calif. 

MSUB Yellowjacket Spring Invitational (March 20)

Due to inclement weather, the Yellowjacket Spring Invite at the Pryor Creek Golf Course in Huntley, Mont., was shortened to a single round. MSUB finished second among five teams with a score of 331, with Fish being the top individual at 80. Ingram and Saken tied for third place as each shot one stroke behind Fish at 81.

RESULTS 

Western New Mexico Mustang Invitational (March 31 – April 1, Palm Valley Golf Course, Goodyear, AZ): Team – 1. Saint Edwards 612 (308-304); 8. Western Washington 637 (325-312); 12. Saint Martin’s 643 (320-323); 13. Montana State Billings 647 (327-320). Individual (Top 30): 1. Tina Yang, Cal Baptist 146 (73-73); 11-T. Melissa Saken, MSUB 153 (79-74); 16-T. Jennifer Liedes, SMU 154 (76-78); 21. Anna Bourland, WWU 155 (79-76); 24-T. Kristen Hansen, WWU 157 (82-75); 30-T. Brooke Branigan, WWU 160 (79-81); 30-T. Mandy Wittmier, SMU 160 (83-77).

Northwest Nazarene Invitational (March 31 – April 1, Ridgecrest Golf Club, Nampa, ID): Team – 1. Lewis-Clark State 642 (313-329); 2. Northwest Nazarene 680 (343-337). Individual  – 1. Brandi Bork, Westminster 155 (77-78); 3. Sam Miller, NNU 158 (82-76); 10. Haley Gochnour, NNU 174 (82-92); 11. Jessica Knight, NNU 175 (91-84); 13. Carleigh Sturm, NNU 178 (88-90); 14. Brittney Paterson, NNU 179 (92-87); 26. Cali Carpenter, NNU 229 (110-119).

Cal State Monterey Bay Otter Invitational (March 24-25, Blackhorse Golf Course, Seaside, CA): Team – 1. Cal State East Bay 629 (311-318); 14. Montana State Billings 672 (339-333). Individual (Top 30) – 1. Andrea Castellanos, Cal State East Bay 148 (74-74).

MSUB Yellowjacket Spring Invitational (March 20, Pryoy Creek Golf Course, Huntley, MT): Team – 1. Rocky Mountain College 329; 2. Montana State Billings 331; 3. Montana State Billings-B 360. Individual – 1. Kayla Clancy, Rocky Mountain 79; 2. Katie Fish, MSUB 80; 3-T. Capri Ingram, MSUB 81; 3-T. Melissa Saken, MSUB 81; 5-T. BreAnna Cameron, MSUB-B 82; 11. Mariah Cleveland, MSUB 89; 12. Haley Shackelford, MSUB-B 90; 16-T. Carlee Hart, MSUB-B 93; 19. Carlan Campbell, MSUB-B 95; 24. Cayley Fish, MSUB 99; 28. Tess Mitchell, MSUB-B 105.