May 7, 2005
LUBBOCK, Texas — The 14th-ranked New Mexico women’s golf shot a 12-over 300 in the final round of the NCAA Central Regional Championships Saturday afternoon, which tied for the second best team score of the day, but it wasn’t enough to propel the Lobos into the NCAA Championships. Needing to finish among the top eight teams to advance to the NCAA Championships, New Mexico tied for 13th in the 21-team field with a 59-over 923 (291-332-300), eight strokes behind eighth-place Arkansas.
The Lobos, who were ranked in the top-15 the entire season, won two tournament titles during the 2004-05 campaign and made their 13th consecutive postseason appearance.
Sophomore Ashley Rollins was UNM’s highest finisher as she tied for 20th place with a 10-over 226 (72-80-74). Rollins carded a team-best 2-over 74 in the final round.
Junior Christine Fernandez was only one shot shy of Rollins in the third round, firing a 3-over 75. For the tournament, Fernandez posted scores of 71-83-75–229 (+13) to tie for 31st.
Closing out her storied career on Saturday was senior Kailin Downs. One of the most prolific golfers in UNM history, Downs tied for 63rd with a 19-over 235 (72-84-79) in her last tournament. Downs, a four-time All-Mountain West selection and two-time conference player of the year, finishes her career with a 74.38 scoring average, which is the best in the history of the Lobo women’s golf program.
Senior Christina Spence also closed out her career on Saturday. Spence carded a 4-over 76 in her last round and finished 21-over for the tournament (76-85-76–237) to tie for 77th.
Freshman Giselle Claux finished at 26-over (78-89-75–242), tying for 93rd.
No. 3 Auburn won the tournament with a 32-over 896 (294-309-293). Texas A&M, Missouri, Arizona State, Tulsa, Purdue, Michigan State and Arkansas also advanced to the NCAA Championships held May 17-20 at the Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Ore.