March 20, 2012
Complete Results
CHICO, Calif. - The Western Washington University women's golf team showed improvement in Tuesday's final round, but still finished fifth among seven teams in the Chico State Invitational at the Canyon Oaks Country Club.
The Vikings, ranked No.19 in the latest National Golf Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Top 25, shot a 33-over 321 on Tuesday to finish at 662 after opening the tourney with their worst round in more than three years, shooting 341 on Monday.
"We were better, but we were still below average," said Western coach Bo Stephan.
All five Vikings improved their scores in the second round. Claire Rachor (Jr., Bellingham) was the top WWU individual, finishing tied for 11th at 18-over 162 after shooting a final-round 80.
Alexandria Taylor (Sr., Sammamish/Eastlake) had the best Western round Tuesday, shooting a 79 after an opening-round 88 to finish at 23-over 167.
Sophie Elstrott (Sr., Eugene, OR/South Eugene) had a final-round 80 to finish at tied for 13th at 163, Anna Bourland (R-Fr., Bainbridge) had an 82 to end up at 170, and Kara Zitzman (Jr., Woodinville/Redmond) shot an 86 to finish at 174.
Academy of Art University won the team championship, shooting a final-round 307 to rally from third place after the opening day and finishing at 631, four shots ahead of Grand Canyon.
Lyra Yoe of AAU claimed medalist honors, shooting a 75 on Tuesday to finish with a seven-over-par 151, three strokes ahead of teammate Andrea Nieto.
The fifth-place finish marked the first time in 11 years the Vikings had been outside the top three as a team at Chico State.
"We need to do some work in the practice round tomorrow and get ready to play again on Thursday," said Stephan.
The Vikings continue their California trip by competing Thursday and Friday in the Spring Fling at Desert Princess Country Club in Cathedral City, a tournament hosted by Augustana University, S.D.
