Rainbow Wahine Fall By One Stroke At WAC Golf Championships

Final Results

MESA, Ariz. – The University of Hawai'i women's golf team was one stroke away from capturing the title at the Western Athletic Conference Championships, Wednesday, at the Longbow Golf Club. Though beating San Jose State's final-round score, 311 to 312, the Rainbow Wahine could not overcome the Spartans' lead. UH finished in second at 919 (305-303-311) while SJSU took first at 918 (304-302-312).

“It was tough conditions out there with at least a 3-4 club wind,” UH head coach Lori Castillo said. “It was such a horse race out there. We had the lead and they would take it back. I'm so proud of my team. We're the youngest team in the WAC and it all came together at this tournament. We almost pulled it off.”

Earning Freshman of the Year honors was Ka'ili Britos, finishing in second place to lead UH. In her rookie season as a Rainbow Wahine, Britos competed in all nine tournaments, her best finish prior to the WAC Champs coming at the Juli Inkster Spartan Invitational where she placed 20th at 12-over par. During this tournament, she sunk seven birdies and 33 pars to finish with her best 54-hole score of the season, a 10-over, 223 (77-73-73).

Finishing in eighth place was senior Corie Hou (79-72-78=229) who earned Second Team All-WAC honors for the second consecutive year. Hou has led UH in five tournaments this season, and holds the low average on the squad, 76.6 strokes per round.

Also competing for the Rainbow Wahine were sophomore Erika Lundberg (72-77-83=232/T11th), freshman Brigitte Baker (77-81-81=239/T22nd), and junior Brittany Bomar (79-83-79=241/T27th).

Individually, Hali Coppin of Fresno State took first at eight-over par (74-74-73=221). Coppin began the day tied for second but was able to take the lead by staying consistent and carding a 73 on the round.

UH's second place finish marks their best so far in the WAC Championships, beating out their two consecutive third place finishes in 2007 and 2008.

2009-10 Western Athletic Conference Awards

First Team All-WAC

Hali Coppin, Sr., Fresno State

Amanda Jacobs, Sr., Idaho

Kayla Mortellaro, So., Idaho

Cristina Corpus, Sr., San Jose State

Katrina Delen Briones, Jr., San Jose State

Madeleine Ziegert, Jr., San Jose State

Second Team All-WAC

Louisa Lies, So., Fresno State

Corie Hou, Sr., Hawai'i

Teo Poplawski, So., Idaho

Jamie Yam, So., Nevada

Shraddhanjali Singh, Sr., San Jose State

Player of the Year: Kayla Mortellaro, Idaho

Freshman of the Year: Ka'ili Britos, Hawai'i

Coach of the Year: Lisa Johnson, Idaho

-UH-

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