Colorado University Athletics
Women's Golf Hands Out 2008-09 Awards
May 13, 2009 | Women's Golf
BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's golf team has wrapped up play for the 2008-09 season and head coach Anne Kelly has announced the team awards for the year.
Freshman Emily Talley claimed the Most Valuable Player Award. In freshman campaign, Talley recorded a team-low 75.42 season average in a team-high 33 rounds played. Talley recorded three top-10 finishes and led the team with five top-20 finishes on the year. She also led all Buffs in team scoring with all but one round going towards CU's team total in every tournament. Talley wrapped up her first season as a Buff in record fashion, as she became the first CU freshman to record a season stroke average under 77.4, improving the previous record by two strokes. Talley also holds the school record for most rounds in the 70s in a single season with 30. Talley's sixth place finish at the Big 12 Tournament was the highest finish by a Buff since 2006 and the highest finish in program history at Big 12's by a freshman, becoming just the fifth Buff to be named to the All-Big 12 Tournament Team.
Sophomore Stephanie Simich was the recipient of the Most Improved Player Award, as she demonstrated improvement both in the classroom and on the golf course. Simich decreased her fall stroke average this season by over a stroke from her freshman campaign. Her career best finish was also recorded this year in the San Diego State Invitational where she took ninth place with a 10-over par 226. She wrapped up the season with two top-20 finishes and 80% of her rounds counting towards the team scoring.
Sophomore Jamie Befort was presented with the Nicole Cavarra Academic Award. Cavarra, who graduated in 2001, was the valedictorian of the Business school and did not receive a single grade under an A- in college. While juggling athletics and academics, Befort has managed to excel in the classroom and was also presented with the Scholar Academic Award by the CU Herbst Academic Center. Receiving this award on behalf of all of the sophomore student-athletes at Colorado, this honor is presented to the student-athlete who has accumulated the highest GPA in its respective class.
As a team, the University of Colorado women's golfers accomplished what no other squad in program history had done, by making its first ever NCAA Western Regionals. After 54-holes in the intense Arizona heat, Colorado was unable to advance to the finals after taking 19th overall, but the experience they gained will never be forgotten. CU returns all but lone senior Cierra Ko next fall and boast a veteran roster with all five regulars in the scoring lineup returning in what will be coach Kelly's 13th season.
