San Diego State, which finished second in each of the previous three seasons, captured the Mountain West Women’s Championship by one stroke over Nevada, and Brigitte Thibault claimed the individual title on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club www.missionhillscc.com in Rancho Mirage.
The Aztecs posted a winning score of 303-295-306—904, 40-over-par, while Nevada finished second at 305-303-297—905, followed by UNLV at 310-299-302—911, San Jose State at 299-308-305—912 and Fresno State at 313-300-308—921.
“Today’s win was a tough victory against some great competition,” San Diego State Coach Leslie Spalding said after the Azetcs claimed their second conference title. “We’ve fought hard in every tournament this season and it’s so thrilling to finish as champions and make SDSU proud.
“Hopefully, this gives us some momentum when we prepare for regionals.”
Boise State was sixth at 313-310-308—931, followed by New Mexico at 318-317-310—945, Colorado State at 321-319-309—949 and Wyoming at 313-319-326—958.
Thibault, a Fresno State sophomore from Canada, took the individual title with a score of 71-70-76—217, 1-over, while Sara Kjellker of San Diego State shot 78-69-72—219 to tie for second with Natasha Andrea Oon of San Jose State, who totaled 72-74-73—219, while Fernanda Escauriza of San Diego State was fourth at 73-72-76—221, followed by Victoria Gailey of Nevada at 75-76-73—224.
“I’m so glad to get my first collegiate event win at conference, at Mission Hills, because that’s where the (LPGA Tour) Q-School is, that’s where the ANA (Inspiration) is, it’s a lot on the future opportunities,” said Thibault, who captured the 2016 Quebec Junior Open.
“I’m really proud of myself to step it up at this major championship. I’m really happy.”
Tara Finigan of Boise State finished at 74-76-75—225 to tie for sixth with Polly Mack of UNLV, who wound up at 74-74-77—225, while Abegail Arevalo of San Jose State was eighth at 74-76-76—226, and Harriet Lynch of Fresno State shot 79-73-76—228 to tie for ninth with Caroline Jansson of New Mexico, who came in at 77-77-74—228.
Rounding out the scoring for team champion San Diego State were Gioia Carpinelli in a tie for 15th at 76-74-82—232, Kitty Tam in a tie for 22nd at 76-81-78—235, and Daniela Anastasi in a tie for 34th at 82-80-80—242.
For complete results, visit http://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&tid=17980
