Las Vegas, Nevada (May 9, 2010)–The UNLV Women's golf team struggled in the NCAA West Regionals, and didn't move on to the NCAA Finals. They finished 16th with only the top eight teams advancing. The Men's team finished third at the Mountain Conference Tournament, but still should get a bid to the NCAA West Regionals because they have been a top 15 team for most the season.–Staff report with UNLV Sports Information.
The Lady Rebels posted a third-round score of 33-over 317 for a total of 918 (+66), a tough finish after leading for a majority of the first round and being in contention heading into the final round. No. 3 Arizona won the team title with an 876 (+24), good for a nine-stroke victory over No. 1 UCLA. Calle Nielson of Virginia and Madeleine Ziegert of San Jose State shared medalist honors, as each shot a 1-over 214. Therese Koelbaek was the top Rebel on the leader board, finishing tied for 20th with a 223 (77-73-73, +10), as she carded her second straight 2-over 73 on Saturday. Fellow junior Alejandra Guacaneme was next, as she was in a group that tied for 27th with a 224 (71-74-79, +11). The event was played at Stanford Golf Course.
The No. 12 UNLV men’s golf team finished in third place at the 2010 Mountain West Conference Men’s Golf Championship on Saturday after shooting a final-round 4-over-par 288. The tournament was held at the Catalina Course at OMNI Tucson National Golf Club (par 71, 7,144 yards). Colorado State won the team title for the second time in three years with a 54-hole total of 18-under 834 after shooting a final-round 7-under 277. The Rams’ team total set the MWC Championship record for lowest team score by 10 strokes. The previous mark was 8-under 844 by both San Diego State and TCU in 2009. San Diego State finished second at 5-under, 13 shots off the pace on Saturday.
The Rebels finished 15 shots back at 3-under 849, while BYU was fourth at 2-over and TCU rounded out the top five at 15-over. Air Force finished sixth at 35-over, followed by Wyoming at 40-over, New Mexico at 41-over and Utah at 59-over. Colorado State’s Ryan Peterson held on to the lead and won the individual title by two shots at 8-under 205. Peterson won his first collegiate tournament after shooting a final-round 1-under 70. UNLV’s Eddie Olson, the 2008 MWC Champion, finished second at 6-under after a final-round 4-under 67. Rebel teammate Derek Ernst tied for fifth at 1-under after a final-round 2-over 73. Olson’s final round consisted of five birdies and a bogey.
Other Rebel scores were Colby Smith tied for 12th at 1-over 214 after a final-round 73, Kevin Penner tied for 16th at 3-over 216 after a final-round 75 and Brett Kanda tied for 39th at 18-over after a final-round 77. The field for the NCAA Regionals will be announced on Monday, May 10, and the 2009-10 All-MWC Team will be announced on Tuesday, May 11. The Rebels are coached by Hall of Famer Dwaine Knight.–Bryan Haines from UNLV contributed to this report.