Colorado University Athletics
Kerr Advances To NCAA Regional
April 28, 2003 | Women's Golf
BOULDER - A day after being named the Most Valuable Player at the team's end of season awards dinner, Colorado senior golfer Erin Kerr was selected as one of three individuals not represented on one of 21 teams to qualify for the NCAA West Regional announced by the national office Monday.
Kerr remains the first-ever CU player to advance to NCAA Championship play, and is now the first player to advance for a second straight season. A year ago Kerr was three strokes shy of advancing to the NCAA Championships, as she was the third highest finishing individual, 15th overall, but each region advances two to the next round. She joins Stella Lee of UC-Irvine and Idaho's Nicole Keller, the other two individuals selected to this year's field that will start play May 8 in Tempe, Ariz.
Kerr will literally be playing in her backyard as Arizona State's Karsten Golf Course, site of the West Regional, is just minutes from her family's Phoenix home.
"I'm thrilled for Erin and really proud of her," said head coach Anne Kelly. "To end her collegiate career playing at home will be such an experience. And having played in this tournament last year, and just missing nationals, left her a little hungry and will play to her benefit.
Kerr's selection is bittersweet. As a team, Colorado, BYU, Colorado State and Washington State were each vying for the last spot, but CU missed the cut by one as the last nod was given to Washington State to the field. The Buffs had a 4-1 record over the Cougars during the 2002-03 season, but WSU had a strong spring campaign highlighted by three straight team victories.
"I'm just extremely disappointed for the team," said Kelly. "I was hoping that we'd have a shot, and to miss the opportunity by a single spot is disappointing, especially for the seniors. On the other hand, we shouldn't have put ourselves on the bubble. A few better finishes and we would be on a plane with Erin. Hopefully the younger players will use this as motivation to do better next year."
While Kerr was recognized as the team's MVP last night, sophomore Allison Rella was named the team's Most Improved Player, senior Kimber Westbrook took home the Nicole Cavarra Student-Athlete Award and senior Lynn Ann Moretto was this year's Coaches Award recipient.
