Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Mountain West Championship Day 3
CSU golfers finish fourth at MWC championships
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 18, 2009
Photo Gallery 
Complete Results in PDF Format 
By Danny Mattie
Athletic Media Relations
SEASIDE, Calif. – Two Rams, freshmen Brianna Espinoza and Melissa Martin, posted top-10 finishes to lead the Colorado State women’s golf team to a fourth-place showing at the 2009 MWC championships, while junior standout Kasey Claussen and Head Coach Angie Hopkins were honored by the MWC at the postseason awards banquet.
Claussen was named to the nine-member MWC all-conference team for the first time in her career at Colorado State. She becomes the first Ram named to the team since 2006.
“That is something that Kasey has really working hard for,” added Hopkins. “It’s been a goal of Kasey’s since her freshman year. This week didn't go as well as she hoped, but she has had such a great season and has really earned all of the recognition that she gets.”
Hopkins, who led a young Rams squad to four top-five finishes and seven top-10 appearances, earned her second MWC Coach of the Year honor, having also earned the award in 2005.
The Rams tied the final-round low score of 300 to jump up another spot during Saturday’s competition at the par-72, 6,027-yard Black Horse Golf Course, but were unable to move ahead of third-place UNLV, who also fired a third-round total of 300 and held off the Rams by a single stroke.
“For us to bounce back the way we did this weekend really says a lot about our team,” said Hopkins. “Especially with two freshmen in the lineup, it was great to see the team play so well over the last two days.”
The New Mexico Lobos held on for the wire-to-wire victory, posting a 36-hole score of 39-over, followed by TCU (+53), UNLV (+56) and Colorado State (+57). BYU (+74), Wyoming (+78) and San Diego State (+82) finished fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively, to round out the field.
Four Rams posted top-20 finishes, thanks to strong finishes from Martin and junior Natalie Stone, who carded closing rounds of 1-over 73 and captured ninth place and a tie for 13th, respectively. Martin climbed nine spots on the final day of competition, while Stone entered the third round in a tie for 23rd overall.
“Melissa and Natalie played incredibly well today, coming through with the two lowest scores of the round,” added Hopkins. “And, Of course, having Brianna and Melissa finish in the top 10 was phenomenal to see. I am so excited for both of them!”
Espinoza, fired a 4-over 76, and closed the tournament as the Rams’ top finisher in a tie for seventh place. The first-year player from Phoenix, Ariz., shot 12-over for the 36-hole tournament and finished eight strokes off the pace of Wyoming’s Jonelle Martinez, who captured medalist honors.
Claussen rounded out the scoring for the Rams on Saturday and finished tied for 19th with a three-round total of 234 (+6). Senior Stefanie Ferguson (+8) finished 25th overall.
“Stefanie has been such a great leader for the team,” said Hopkins. “She has had to play though some injuries the past two years, but always gave it her all and is in line for another academic all-conference and academic all-America recognition again this season.”
“I am very excited about our performance this weekend, and I am even more excited about the future the program,” added Hopkins. “For us to put together this type of season, and have four of our top-five returning next year is a thrilling prospect.”
The Rams may not have to close the chapter on their 2008-09 season just yet. Coach Hopkins and the team will now await word as the NCAA selects participants for the 2009 regional tournament, May 8-10. The field will be announced April 27th.
| 4 | Colorado State | 314-307-300--921 |
| T7 | Brianna Espinoza | 73-79-76--228 |
| 9 | Melissa Martin | 82-75-73--230 |
| T13 | Natalie Stone | 82-77-73--232 |
| T19 | Kasey Claussen | 80-76-78--234 |
| 25 | Stefanie Ferguson | 79-79-80--238 |
