April 20, 2008

Complete Results

SILVER CITY, New Mexico - Western Washington University's Allison Gillette (Sr., Seattle/Ballard) shot a final-round, 6-over par 78 to finish third in medalist play and the Vikings placed second in the team standings at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women's Golf Tournament which ended Sunday at the Silver City Golf Course.

The Vikings, tied for No.16 in the latest Golf World/National Golf Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Coaches Top 25 and No.3 in the West Region ratings, shot 324, the best round of the day, for a 36-hole total of 641. That was just three strokes behind host and nationally No.20-ranked Western New Mexico, which took the team title at 638, shooting 325. Defending champion Mesa State CO was a distant third at 676 (338) in the 11-team field.

"It was a tough day, very windy, but I felt we played pretty solid," said Western coach Bo Stephan.

"I wanted to come down here because I felt like this was similar desert-style conditions to where we'll be playing regionals. Typically we've done well in the desert and hopefully that will continue."

Gillette, who was tied for sixth after Saturday's opening round, moved up three places as she had a two-day total of 15-over 159. Western New Mexico's Tina Bickford took medalist honors at 6-over 150 (77), eight strokes ahead of teammate Erika Willis at 158 (81).

Western's Lianne Matkin (So., Spokane/Northwest Christian), who was the first-round leader, tied for fourth at 160 (88). The Viking's Breanna Carmichael (So., Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) shot 78 to place sixth at 161, and Kaitlin Parker (Jr., Burlington/Marysville-Pilchuck) tied for eighth at 163 (82).

Western's Catherine Kim (Sr., Bellevue/Skyline) tied for 16th at 169 (86).

The Vikings are looking to make their sixth straight NCAA Division II West Regional appearance on May 5-7 at Phoenix, Ari.