MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1999

Golf team third

By Manuel Gamiz Jr.

On-line Forty-Niner

The Long Beach State women's golf team closed out its season by finishing in third at the Big West Conference Championships April 20 at Centennial Golf Course in Nampa, Idaho.

"I think we did really well," said coach Sue Ewart. "In fact, I think it was our best tournament since I've been head coach."

The team finished the six-team tournament with a three-round 63-over-par 927, which marked the team's best score this season. New Mexico State captured the title.

The team's previous best was a 60-over-par 636 at the Lady Aztec Spring Invitational in El Cajon March 29-30, however that score was in two rounds.

The 49ers were led by a strong performance from both freshman Shelbie Jasper and junior Fredrika Schlasberg.

"Both girls put in a solid three rounds," she said. "Both helped elevate the entire team."

Jasper finished in fifth place, firing a 9-over-par 225 in three rounds of action, while Schlasberg shot a 10-over-par 226 to finish sixth.

Freshman Isela Alvarado finished in a tie for 14th place with a 20-over-par score of 236, while sophomore Amber Pearson tied for 19th with a 24-over-par 240.

In what will be her last tournament of the season, junior Tami Shibata fired a 30-over-par 246 to finish in a tie for 26th place.

Ewart said Shibata decided to concentrate on her school work, and will forego her final season.

New Mexico State, the No. 21 team according to the Mastercard collegiate golf rankings, dominated from start to finish.

"We knew we had a fight on our hands," Ewart said. "Theoretically, we knew New Mexico State would win."

The team was up by 16 strokes after one round, 35 strokes after two rounds and would finish with a 7-over-par 871 - 39 strokes ahead of runner-up Nevada.

"Their team is very solid," she said. "They will go on to regionals, and probably advance to nationals."

New Mexico State's Sasha Medina captured the individual title, dominating with a 6-under-par 210, while Nevada's Angie Yoon finished in second with a 1-under 215.

The 49ers will be returning a strong unit for next season, losing only Shibata.

Ewart said she is also planning a few new members to next year's squad.

"The girls should be ready compete next season," Ewart said. "They have the ability to compete with the New Mexico States [of golf]."