Summerhays wins medalist honors as Cougar finish 2nd at Dixie Classic

St. George, Utah--BYU All-American Carrie Summerhays claimed co-medalist honors leading the Cougars to a second-place tie behind champion San Francisco in the Utah Dixie Classic at Sunbrook Golf Course on Tuesday.

With the victory, Summerhays earned her sixth career win and ties Pam Miller Geitzen (1976-80) as the all-time winningest women's golfer in BYU history. In 11th place after round one, Summerhays shot a one-over 73 second round before the afternoon winds picked up. During her final round she overcame a double bogie and two bogies in very windy conditions to finish 76-73-77--226. Summerhays who won the Dixie Classic her fresman season in 1999 finished tied with Northern Arizona's Hanna-Riikka Kuitunen (72-80-74--226).

"When Carrie joined the team a couple years ago, I felt she had the chance to break Pam's record," BYU head coach Gary Howard said. "She's tied the record in three years what it took Pam Miller four years to accomplish. She's also becoming an excellent leader both on and off the golf course, which is more important to this team than the scores she shoots."

San Francisco jumped out to a seven-stroke lead after round one then widened the gap on the field winning by 15 strokes. The Dons were led by Emilie Arnaud (76-73-78--227), who finished third individually.

BYU also had a solid performance by senior captain Summer Pierce (76-77-80--233), who continued her impressive spring season.

"There is no question Summer is the most improved player on this team," Howard said. "We had a real team effort out there today. Despite having a few high scores, everyone played at least one big round that helped us finish well."

BYU, who finished fifth at last year's Dixie Classic, earned its second best finish of the season. Thanks to Tuesday's strong finish, BYU is in good position to qualify for the NCAA Regional tournament with only one tournament remaining.

Next up for BYU is the Mountain West Conference Championships on April 23-25 at Sun River Oregon. BYU finished second at last year's MWC Championships behind New Mexico. The Cougars will also be challenged by Colorado State and San Diego State in what will be a very competitive championship tournament.

TE AM RESULTS
1. San Francisco         297-304-317--918
2. BYU                   309-306-318--933
    Idaho                310-302-321--933
4. Northern Arizona      304-317-313--934
5. Denver                312-308-315--935
6. Long Beach St.        314-318-309--941
7. Colorado              310-303-329--942
8. San Diego State       305-315-325--945
    Colorado State       307-310-328--945
10. Nevada               313-314-321--948
11. Weber State          315-322-323--960
12. Montana              317-338-324--979
13. Hawaii               312-323-349--984
14. Boise State          312-339-341--992
15. Montana State        328-330-339--997
16. Idaho State          318-344-339--1001
17. Wyoming              332-336-340--1008
18. Mesa State           341-356-353--1050
19. Texas Pan Am         346-WD
BYU INDIVIDUAL SCORES
1. Carrie Summerhays 76-73-77--226
13. Summer Pierce    76-77-80--233
37. Adrianne Gibby   75-80-84--239
37. Lisa Dernick     83-79-77--239
61. Nicole Newren    82-77-88--247
81. Merrilyn Gibbs   79-83-94--256
INDIVIDUALS
1. Carrie Summerhays         BYU           76-73-77--226
 Hanna-Riikka Kuitunen       No. Arizona   72-80-74--226
3. Emilie Arnaud             San Francisco 76-73-78--227
4. Noelle Hamillton          Idaho         77-75-76--228
    Lisa Chen                San Francisco 74-75-79--228
6. Carla Legaspi             Long Beach    77-78-74--229
7. Angie Yoon                Nevada        74-81-75--230
8. Gaelle Truet              No. Arizona   78-76-77--231
9. Sarah Bellinger           Colorado      77-75-80--232
    Susannah Laing           San Francisco 71-82-79--232
    Jordan Auten             San Francisco 76-75-81--232
   Shayna Miyajima           San Diego St. 75-79-78--232
13. Bridget Johnson          Colo. State   76-76-81--233
     Summer Pierce           BYU           76-77-80--233
     Sara Silva              Denver        77-76-80--233