SHUTLER FINISHES THIRD AT COWGIRL CLASSIC; TEAM PLACES FIFTH
4/11/2012
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Sacramento State senior Julie Shutler shot a 1-under 71 to finish third at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic on Wednesday at Ocotillo Golf Resort. Shutler ended the tournament at 74-72-71-217 which ties for the third-lowest 54-hole total in school history.
Sacramento State finished in fifth place as a team at 907. Iowa overtake Colorado State for the team title with a third round 294. The Hawkeyes totaled 884 while CSU was at 890. Portland State finished third, and was first among the eight Big Sky Conference teams in the field, at 901 while UTEP ended at 905 to place fourth.
Shutler's was flawless through her first 17 holes. The senior opener her round on the 10th hole and birdied the par-4 13th and the par-3 16th. She then ran off eight straight pars before ending her round with a bogey on the par-4 9th.
Freshman Samantha Stockton finished tied for 28th place at 76-74-77-227. Stockton was 3-over through her first nine holes and played the front nine at 2-over. Her round included a birdie on 16 as well as 11 pars.
Fellow freshman Lexie Hall tied for 32nd place. Hall ended the tournament with a 75 which ranked second on the team behind Shutler. Her round featured a birdie on the par-4 14th as well as 123 pars and four bogeys.
Sagee Palavivatana returned to action after having to exit the second round due to illness. Palavivatana, who shot 71 on Monday, ended the tournament with a round of 80. During the third round, she was 2-over through nine holes but played holes 1-9 at 6-over.
Kercia Brakel gutted through her third round despite being the latest Hornet to fall under the weather. Brakel shot 84 on Tuesday to finish tied for 99th place overall with a three-round total of 244.
Colorado State's Brianna Espinoza was the medalist following rounds of 68-68-72-208. Kirsti Cardwell of Iowa was second, five strokes off the pace.
Sacramento State will return to Ocotillo in two weeks for the Big Sky Championships which begin on Monday, April 23.
