Sept. 27, 2011
Complete Results
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. - Western Washington University finished fifth, 12 strokes out of first, among 16 teams at the Grand Canyon University Fall Women's Golf Invitational which ended Tuesday at the Wigwam Golf Course.
The Vikings, ranked No.8 in the National Golf Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25, shot 309 to finish with a 36-hole total of 620.
Sonoma State, which held a two-shot lead after Monday's first round, increased that to five strokes as it shot 295, the best round of the tournament, for a total of 598.
Host Grand Canyon was second at 603 (298), followed by Cal State Monterey Bay (305=614) and Victoria (303=618).
Grand Canyon entered the tournament rated No.7 nationally, CSUMB No.12 and Sonoma State No.18.
"I think the players were a little bummed, but all-in-all I felt it was a good start to our season," said Western coach Bo Stephan (7th year).
WWU was led by Claire Rachor (Jr., Bellingham), who tied for 10th at 153 (79).
Sonoma State's Spencer Heller, who fired a tourney-best 4-under par 68 in the first round, shot 70 to take medalist honors at 6-under 138. That was three shots better than Victoria's Megan Woodland, who was the only other player to finish under par at 141 (71).
The Vikings' Sophie Elstrott (Sr., Eugene, OR/South Eugene) moved up nine places to tie for 17th at 155 (76), and Alexandria Taylor (Sr., Sammamish/Eastlake) (79) and Kara Zitzman (Jr., Woodinville/Redmond) (78) each tied for 25th at 156.
WWU's Brittany Wilcox (Sr., Spokane/Mead) tied for 42nd at 161 (80).
The Vikings next compete in the Saint Martin's University Invitational on Oct. 7-8 at the Olympia Country Club.
