It was the first time in four years that the Portland State women’s golf team did not win the Big Sky Conference Championships. The Vikings where the considered the favorites during the preseason, but did not produce the consistent play of past seasons.
Although the Viks did not win the Big Sky crown they had many individual successes. Sophomore Haley Brown set a new season scoring record, posting a 76.85 scoring average through 29 rounds. Brown was named to the first-team All-Big Sky Conference by recording four top 10s and six top 20s in 11 tournaments this year. Brown posted the team’s lowest individual score with a 70.
The Vikings had three All-Big Sky Conference performers, including senior Danielle Reilly and junior Ashley Anast, who ended up with second-team honors. The team’s best outing came at the Red Rock Invitational on Feb. 25-26, where they took third place.
Great play came late in the season from freshman Kayla Morinaga. In fact, Morinaga had her best rounds in the Big Sky Championship, shooting 78-76-72, totaling 226. Morinaga finished the year with an 80.25 scoring average and should continue to improve as she grows as a player.
The Vikings expect to return the Big Sky title to its rightful home at Portland State. With the help of talented young golfers Brown, Anast and Morinaga, next year should be a success.