Sunday, September 21, 2008

        SUNSET BEACH, N.C. (Sept. 21, 2008) - The ETSU women's golf team got its 2008-09 season off to an impressive, record-setting start Sunday, firing a final round 298 to take the team championship in the Sea Trail Women's Intercollegiate.

Along with the team title, the Buccaneers made it a clean sweep thanks to junior Laura Jansone (Jurmala, Latvia), who finished the event at even par (73=70=73=216) and was atop the individual leaderboard, six strokes better than Bambee Dela Paz of Cincinnati. Jansone's 216 matched her career best and ETSU record for three-round score.

The win marked Jansone's third individual collegiate title - also an ETSU women's golf record - and gave the Bucs their seventh team championship since the start of head coach Stefanie Shelton's tenure.

"I'm just very proud of the team," said Shelton, whose team held the lead by four strokes heading into the final round. "We just got more comfortable and confident as the tournament went on. To win our first tournament of the year is always exciting and it's a good start. Hopefully we can move on from here and continue to improve throughout the fall season."

As for Jansone, Shelton said she is constantly amazed by the 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference individual champion.

"Laura just continues her dominance," Shelton said. "She's such a tough mental player and she just knows how to get it done. Nothing seems to bother her."

            Along with Jansone, true freshman Mayte Vizcarrondo (Cardiz, Spain) was extremely impressive in her first collegiate event, firing a final round 73 to finish in fourth place on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, junior Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway, Ireland) finished tied for 17^th after posting a final round 75.

            The Bucs will return to action Oct. 12 at the UNCG-Starmount Fall Classic. For more on ETSU women's golf throughout the season, visit ETSUBucs.com.