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