Jan. 7, 2008
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s golf team will begin spring competition at the Wildcat Invitational starting February 25 in Tucson, Ariz. The Lobos enter the spring season ranked 24th nationally according to GolfWeek.
UNM will rely on seniors Giselle Claux and Alexandra Phelps for their leadership heading into spring competition. Sophomore Jodi Ewart had an impressive fall season, and is currently ranked No. 19 in the nation according to GolfWeek. Sophomore Britney Choy is coming off an injury and is also expected to compete for a spot in the lineup. Others competing for the top 5 slots are Junior Mikaela Backstedt, Junior Py Bengtsson, and Junior Morgan Grantham.
The Lobos will play host to two tournaments during the spring season. The first will take place April 17-19 when it hosts the Mountain West Conference Championships. The second tournament taking place in Albuquerque will be the NCAA Women’s National Championships on May 20-23. Both tournaments will be held at the UNM Championship Golf Course.
First year head coach Jill Trujillo leads UNM into the spring and will have the Lobos in four tournaments prior to the MWC Championships. Following the Wildcat Invitational on Feb. 25-27, UNM will participate in the UCF Challenge from March 9-11, the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational from March 17-19 and the PING/Arizona State Invitational on April 4-6.
The Lobos best team finish this fall came at the Las Vegas Showdown. UNM finished tied for fifth after shooting an even par at 288. Junior Mikaela Backstedt led the way for the Lobos finishing in tenth place after shooting a -1 par. Just behind her were sophomore Jodi Ewart and senior Alexandra Phelps both finishing tied for eleventh.
Jodi Ewart has led the way individually for the Lobos thus far this year. Jodi is currently ranked No. 19 in the country and ranks 1st in the Mountain West Conference with a scoring average of 73.17. Her best round this fall came at the Stanford Intercollegiate when the shot a 69. Junior Mikaela Backstedt is currently ranked fourth in the Mountain West Conference with a scoring average of 75.92. Backstedt’s best finish this fall came at the Las Vegas Showdown where she shot a 2-over par 218 for the tourney.
For more information about UNM women’s golf visit www.GoLobos.com.