New Mexico State's Wise wins Sun Belt Conference title

Advertiser Staff

New Mexico State freshman Lehua Wise, a 2003 Kaua'i High grad, parred the first playoff hole to win the Sun Belt title. New Mexico State University

Wise parred the first playoff hole to beat Alyssa Otero of Denver after the two had finished the three-round tournament at 6-over-par 222.

Wise sustained the Aggies' dominance, becoming the eighth consecutive New Mexico State player to win a conference title.

"I was glad to get a chance to play more golf," said Wise, who closed with a 1-over 73 at the 5,745-yard Bluewater Bay Course to force the playoff. "I hit the ball well and played consistently and got a chance to contend for the title. Even though we lost the team title, I had to put that aside and took control of what I had to do. It feels pretty good to win."

The victory earned Wise all-Sun Belt Conference first-team honors.

Denver defeated New Mexico State on the second playoff hole to win the team championship. The teams finished the three rounds at 34-over 898.

"This was our best performance all year," said Aggies head coach Joann Cox. "We got a few good rounds today, and the top three or four played consistently all week. In golf, you can lose by a stroke and that happened today in extra holes. We gave Denver a good battle, and they are ranked ahead of us in the region."

WAC

UH finishes fifth: The University of Hawai'i women's golf team completed its regular season with a fifth-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference Championships yesterday at El Paso, Texas.

The Rainbow Wahine shot 316 in the final round to finish with a three-day total of 945. Tulsa won with 296—897, beating San Jose State by four strokes.

UH freshman Sara Odelius shot even-par 72 yesterday at the 6,010-yard Underwood Course to finish sixth and earn all-WAC first-team honors.

Fellow Rainbow freshman Dale Gammie earned second-team honors after finishing 11th at 80—233.

Also competing for UH were senior Rene Krause (82—243, tie for 28th), sophomore Tara Chappell (85—248, 30th) and freshman Megan Stoddart (82—254, 33rd).

San Jose State's Ashley Gomes won with 75—216, beating Julie Tveed of Tulsa by three strokes.