By winning the Big Sky title on April 21, the Vikings secured atrip to the NCAA West Regional Golf Championship. The Vikings wonthree tournaments over their 11-tournament schedule. As the 2004season has come to a close, the Vikings remain the top Big Skyteam.
On May 6-8, Stanford, California, was the place to be, and thewomen’s college/university level golf was the sport of the weekend.Placing 20th among 21 teams, the Portland State women’s golf teamshot 315 on the final day of the NCAA West Regional GolfChampionship. On the par 72, 6,159 yard golf course, Portland Stateshot 320-308-31 for a total of 943 over three days at the StanfordGolf Club.
Led by Sara Tiller, the Portland State women’s golf team shaved12 strokes off its first round score to shoot 308 in the NCAA WestRegional Championship second round. The following, in the order inwhich they placed, is the skinny on some of the Viking women whocompeted in this past weekend’s tournament.
Junior Sara Tiller made three birdies and four bogeys on her wayto a one-over par 73. After 36 holes of the 54-hole regional,Tiller tied for 50th at 81-73:154. She moved up 34 spots on theleader board in the second round. Tiller’s 73 was the bestsingle-round score ever by a Viking in an NCAA West RegionalTournament. At the end of the weekend championship, Tiller remainedthe top Viking finisher who shot 81-73-80 for a total of 234.Tiller tied for 63rd among the 108 golfers competing.
Sophomore Danielle Reilly tied for 66th with 77-77-81 totaling235. Before finishing, the Viking sophomore was tied with Tiller in50th after shooting a second-straight 77 on Friday.
Junior Jeana Lee shot 82, and was at 162 through 36 holes. Leeshot 75 on the final day of the 54-hole tournament to finish with atie for 76th with 80-82-7 totaling 237.
Senior Rebecca Randolph shot 82-78-79 totaling 239. Randolph,the Vikings’ scoring leader this year, cut four strokes from herscore on Friday, May 7 to shoot 78. She moved up 10 places onFriday, but remained at 85th place when the weekend came to aclose.
Freshman Lisa Kajihara improved, cutting six strokes from herThursday, May 6 score. The Viking freshman shot 80 for a two-daytotal of 166. Kajihara shot 86-80-83 for a total of 249 at the endof the tournament. Kajihara placed 103rd overall.
Hannah Jun of UCLA shot another 71 to hang on and defeat AllisonHanna of Ohio State by two shots. Jun was seven-under, 67-71-71totaling 209. Hanna shot 71-70-70 totaling 211 to go five under andplace second.
UCLA hung on to win the West Regional and advanced, along withthe other top eight teams, to the NCAA Championship hosted byAuburn, at Grand National Lake GC, May 18-21. As a team, the Bruinsfinished three-under par (282-293-286:861), outplaying Californiaby seven shots. Washington State won a playoff over Texas andOregon to break a three-way tie for eighth, and they as well,advanced to the National Championship.