Sophomore Cowgirl golfer Samantha Stancato takes a swing during an 2012 golf tournament.
The University of Wyoming’s women’s golf team kicked off its spring season Sunday by traveling to Industry Hills, Calif. for the Folino Invitational that will end Tuesday.
The tournament, which was hosted by Cal State Fullerton, is a month earlier than UW’s first event last spring. Wyoming is anticipated to travel to several prestigious tournaments during its spring season before hosting the Cowgirl Classic April 8-10 in Chandler, Ariz. The team will conclude its season at the Mountain West Championship held April 25-27 in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The women’s team is made of eight golfers this season, all of which are expected to remain playing for the team next season except senior Dana Zamprelli who faces her final season as a Cowgirl. The team is led by head coach Josey Stender.
According to the roster for the Folino Invitational, Wyoming’s lineup included senior Zamprelli, juniors Emily Wood and Stacey Blunt, sophomore Samantha Stancato and true freshman Kathleen Kershisnik. Sophomore Kristen Jensen and redshirt freshman Emily Woodard competed as individuals.
Reports from the prior golf season show Zamprelli was UW’s top Cowgirl at two events in the fall and could be in consideration for All-MW honors with a solid spring, while Wood was UW’s most consistent performer in the fall with a 77.7 stroke average. Stancato took UW’s top spot at the other two tournaments in the fall and Blunt will look to regain her form during her standout sophomore campaign. Kershisnik played her way into the starting lineup last fall and competed in two events.
Golfers Wood and Blunt were named the top Cowgirl competitors after Monday’s second round of the Invitational as the junior duo is tied for 23rd according to the posted results. The Cowgirls shot +33 (317) as a team in the second round to drop to seventh in the 12-team field, but were just nine strokes back of the other four teams. Gonzaga entered Tuesday’s performance continuing to lead at +39 (607) at Industry Hills Golf Club according to news from the competition.
The Cowgirls team was expected to finish the Invitational Tuesday. Final results can be found on the women’s golf team website. The next event for the team will be the MountainView Collegiate competition scheduled for March 15-16 in Tuscon, Ariz.
