Kathleen Takaishi, right, poses with the Big Sky Championship trophy after leading the Vikings to the title earlier this week in Arizona.
PSU's Takaishi Named Coach of the Year
OGDEN, UTAH (April 22, 2011) - For the second straight year, Portland State’s Kathleen Takaishi has been selected as the Big Sky Conference golf Coach of the Year by her league peers.
Takaishi guided Portland State to its second consecutive Big Sky Conference Championship April 18-20 at the Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz.
The Vikings set a Big Sky Championship record with a 54-hole score of 880, winning the tournament by 11 shots over Northern Arizona. Portland State carded rounds of 303, 287 and 290.
Portland State sophomore Britney Yada claimed medalist honors, firing a Big Sky record six-under-par 210.
Yada was one of three Viking golfers to place in the top 10, and one of five to place in the top 14. Senior Alexia Brown tied for sixth, junior Tiffany Schoning tied for ninth, senior Kalyn Dodge tied for 12th, and freshman Lauren Taylor tied for 14th.
The championship highlighted a very successful season for the Vikings. Portland State closed the regular season by winning the UC Irvine Anteater Invitational and the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic. In the fall, the Vikings picked up a pair of second-place finishes. PSU also had three third-place finishes and two fourth-place finishes on its resume.
Schoning, Taylor and Yada each claimed medalist honors at two tournaments this season.
Taylor captured the Big Sky Freshman of the Year award. Yada, Taylor and Schoning were named to the All-Conference First Team. Dodge earned Second-Team Honors.
Takaishi took over the Portland State program in February of 2008 and led the Vikings to the Big Sky Championship two months later. She has won three Big Sky Championships in her four seasons.
Takaishi will coach the Vikings at the West Regional May 5-7 at the Washington National Golf Course in Seattle.