Otter Invitational Results

SEASIDE, Calif. - The Western Washington University women's golf team had a 16-stroke improvement from yesterday to finish in 2nd place at the Otter Invitational at the Par 72 Blackhorse Golf Course hosted by Cal State Monterey Bay.

The Vikings were runner-up in their second consecutive tournament, also finishing 2nd at the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout March 7-8.

Sophomore Jenn Paul (Bellingham, WA) was the highest placing Viking finishing in a tie for 4th place. Overall, WWU had three players in the top 10, with Audrey Orem (Bellingham, WA) finishing in a tie for 9th place and Brooke Branigan (Bellingham, WA) in a tie for 20th place. All three golfers played in high school at Bellingham High School.

The Vikings, ranked No. 26 in the latest GolfStat Division II poll, finished the 36-hole tournament at 46 over par (622). They entered today's final round tied for 5th-place after an opening round 319 (+31), but put together a sensational closing 18 holes today finishing with a 16-stroke improvement to post a 15-over-par 303 today. It was the second-best round of the day, trailing only tournament champion Tarleton State (+8, 296 today).

"I am really proud of the team for the way they battled back and made some adjustments from yesterday's round," said 11th-year head coach Bo Stephan. "We knew that we could make a few changes and put a good round together to move up, and we did just that. They came out and battled a tough course and had a great day."

Paul rebounded from an opening-round 7-over-par 79 to post a 2-over-par 74 today to finish in a tie for 4th place. She entered the final round tied for 24th, moving up 20 spots. This marked the third top 5 finish for Paul this season, with all six of our tournaments resulting in a top 10 placing.

"Jenn Paul just continues to be consistent and bounced back from a tough round yesterday," said Stephan on his top-ranked golfer. "She grinded today and put up a nice score. Everyone really played well. It was a nice team effort.

Orem posted her second consecutive 5-over-par 77 to finish tied for 9th with a two-round total of 10-over-par 154.

Beatriz Prados shot an even-par 72 today to capture individual medalist honors with a two-round total of 6-over-par 150.

WWU finished 13 strokes behind 11th-ranked Tarleton State (+33) and two strikes ahead of third-place 10th-ranked Dallas Baptist (+48). Overall the Vikings placed ahead of five teams ranked in front of them in the GolfStat Division II poll.

"We have great finishes in our last two tournaments against some very good competition," added Stephan. "We have proven that we can play with and beat some of the best teams in our region and in the country. That should give us confidence as we get closer to the what we hope will be a long season."

-- #GoViks--