Reigning Women’s Golf Champion Sacramento State Picked to Repeat
FARMINGTON, Utah (January 29, 2020) – The Sacramento State Hornets were picked to win the 2020 Big Sky Women’s Golf Championship by unanimous decision, announced today by the conference office. The preseason poll was voted on by league head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own team.
As the reigning champs, the Hornets earned 10 first-place votes for 100 points and a claim to the preseason favorite. Sacramento State returns a highly talented group of six from last season in which three of its competitors placed in the top 20 at the Big Sky Championship. Leading the way is junior Corinne Viden, who placed second overall, followed by seniors Nishtha Madan and Sofie Babic, who each tied for 11th. To round out their team, the Hornets have added a talented young freshman in Tess Blair.
Idaho was picked to finish second with 79 points. The Vandals are led by junior Valeria Patino, who placed fourth overall at the championship last season. She is joined by sophomore Vicky Tsai, who finished tied for 16th. Grace Frazier, Laura Gerner, Eddie Hsu, and Danika Palm also return for the Vandals to give the team six returners.
Separated by four points, Northern Arizona (78) and Eastern Washington (74) filled out the third and fourth spots. With just a one-point voting differential between Northern Arizona (78) and Idaho (79), the Lumberjacks earned one first-place vote and return sophomore Aleksandra Cheklalina, who finished tied for fifth last year at the Big Sky Championship. Madalyn Ardueser returns for the Eagles who finished tied for eighth place.
Portland State was voted fifth with 68 points, while Southern Utah had 52 points for sixth, followed closely by Northern Colorado with 49 points for seventh.
Senior Jasmine Cabajar placed third overall and Valerie Hernandez finished tied for 13th last year to lead the Vikings. Chanikan (Pluem) Yongyuan, the reigning freshman of the year is back for the Thunderbirds as well as senior Kamonwan (Poy) Prasurtwong after finishing tied for 13th and 18th, respectively. Northern Colorado returns reigning individual champion, junior Beah Cruz, and senior Marisa Hisaki who finished tied for fifth last season.
All five players that competed at the championship last year return for Weber State in 2020. The Wildcats received 43 votes for eighth place, as their top finisher junior Kirsten Convoy returns after finishing tied for eighth last season.
Montana State was selected ninth with 30 points. Senior Kelly Hooper returns for the Bobcats, after finishing tied for 16th last season at the championship.
Montana was voted to place 10th by the head coaches with 21 points. The Grizzlies have added four new freshman to the team and return five total competitors, including four that competed in the championship last season in sophomores Kylie Esh and Allison Sobol, junior Faith D’Ortenzio, and senior Teigan Avery.
Idaho State was picked to finish 11th with 11 points. The Bengals return three players that competed at last year’s championship in sophomores Tya Seth and Tyler Erickson and senior Hadley Hersh.
The Big Sky Championship will take place at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., from April 20-22. Eight of the top ten finishers from last year return in 2020.
2020 Big Sky Women’s Golf Preseason Poll
1. Sacramento State – 100 (10)
2. Idaho - 79
3. Northern Arizona – 78 (1)
4. Eastern Washington - 74
5. Portland State - 68
6. Southern Utah - 52
7. Northern Colorado - 49
8. Weber State - 43
9. Montana State - 30
10. Montana - 21
11. Idaho State – 11