Complete Results

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Western Washington University's Brooke Branigan (Jr., Bellingham) fired a 3-under par 69 to tie for fifth in medalist play and the Vikings moved up two spots to finish third at the Western New Mexico University Women's Golf Invitational Tournament which ended Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Coldwater Golf Club.

WWU shot a final-round 285 for a 36-hole total of 574. Cal Baptist topped the 20-team field at 567 (287) with St. Mary's TX second at 570 (282).

"It may be our best round since I've been here," said WWU head coach Bo Stephan, who is in his 11th year directing the program. "The team played awesome. This can be a fun course if you're hitting it good because you can have a lot of birdie putts."

Branigan made three birdies and the rest pars on Tuesday as she tied for fifth at 142.

"Her bogey-free round was one of the best I've seen," Stephan said. "She made it look very easy out there."

In all, three Vikings placed among the top 10. Kristen Hansen (Sr., Spokane/Mead) was ninth at 143 (70) and Stephanie Sewell (Kent/Kentridge), who shot 70 on Monday, tied for 10th at 144 (74).

WWU's Audrey Orem (Jr., Bellingham) tied for 18th at 146 (72) and Hannah Drake (Fr., Pocatello, ID/Century) tied for 51st at 153 (80).

Unable to make the trip for WWU because of a hip injury was Jenn Paul (So., Bellingham). Last year, Paul was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference co-Player of the Year and the Freshman of the Year, leading the team with a 76.3 scoring average.

"To do that well without arguably our best player, I'm looking forward to our season," said Stephan.

The Redlands' Caroline Oridan, who shot an 8-under 64 on Monday, took medalist honors at 8-under 136 (72). She won by two strokes over two St. Mary's players tied for second at 138, Regina Gonzalez (68) and Kelly Contreras (70).

WWU has a week off before competing at the Dixie State Invitational on Oct. 5-6.