GOLF SIGNS FOUR PLAYERS TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT 11/29/2007 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State golf program announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2008-09 academic year. The group is comprised of one man and three women who will all enroll as freshmen in the fall. “I’m really excited to have this group of players chose to come to Sacramento State,” Director of Golf David Sutherland said. “They have raised the bar and allowed us to set higher expectations for the program.” Ryan Williams is the lone signee for the men’s team. Currently a senior at Clovis West High School, Williams helped lead the Golden Eagles to the 2007 Tri-River Athletic League and Southern California championships. During his run as a junior, he was named the MVP of the Southern California tournament and all-city. At the 2007 state championships, he shot a 3-over 75 and tied for fifth, individually. He has averaged 74.1 strokes per round as a junior and 75.4 as a senior and has posted three tournament rounds below 70 in the last two years. Justine Chen, Julie Shutler and Sasha Cruz make up the signing class for the women. Chen has extensive experience on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) national tour. Over the last two years, she has recorded a top 20 finish in 16 of her 17 events, including medalist honors in three tournaments. This season as Trabuco Hills High School, she has helped lead the Mustangs to a 7-0 record heading into postseason play. During the regular season, she averaged 37.0 over nine holes. Shutler has made two AJGA appearances in 2007, including a tie for fourth after shooting 73-77-150 at the Medicus Preseason at Rancho Mirage. This past summer, she also finished one stroke shy of qualifying for the USGA Amateur. A Manteca, Calif., native, she finished first at both the Sac-Joaquin Div. IV Section tournament at the Valley Oak League tournament while representing Sierra High School. Cruz recently capped an amazing season by helping Alameda High School win the North Central Section title in its first season of existence. Prior to the inception of the women’s team, Cruz played her sophomore and junior season on the boys squad for the Hornets. This past summer, she also finished third in the East Bay Junior Championship. “I believe we have signed some of the best players in Northern California,” Sutherland said. “I expect each of these student-athletes to step in and make an impact next season.” Sacramento State’s men’s and women’s golf teams each won conference titles in 2006-07. The men finished first at the inaugural America Sky Championship while the women set the team scoring record to claim their first Big Sky Conference title. The women later advanced to the NCAA West Regional for the first time in school history. ---30---