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Women's golf: Unity plays key role for Lobos in NCAAs
Lobos in NCAAs
What: UNM women's golf team at NCAA Championships
Lobos lineup: Freshman Jodi Ewart (72.93), sophomores Py Bengtsson (76.53) and Mikaela Backstedt (75.86) and juniors Giselle Claux (76.17) and Alexandra Phelps (77.48)
Where: LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach, Fla.
When: Today through Friday
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The Lobos' strategy doesn't involve shooting for a magic score or staring down their hottest competition.
The University of New Mexico women's golf team began the NCAA Championships in Daytona Beach, Fla., this morning focused on two simple goals - consistency and unity.
"If we're going to be successful here, we have to have a great effort not just from one, two, three or four people but all five of our athletes," said Jill Trujillo, UNM's interim head coach. "And we need that strong showing from our whole team for all four rounds. If we take care of that, I really like our chances of doing something special."
The Lobos have a potent lineup and an opportunity to top the school's best showing at the championships, a sixth place finish in 1985.
UNM is led by freshman Jodi Ewart, the Mountain West Conference co-golfer of the year, who is ranked No. 19 nationally. Sophomores Py Bengtsson and Mikaela Backstedt and juniors Giselle Claux and Alexandra Phelps round out the rest of the Lobos' lineup.
The team has ranked among the top 25 nationally most of the year, but it has yet to really dominate elite competition.
Trujillo, who has been an assistant coach in the program for three years, took over when longtime head coach Jackie Booth's contract was not renewed.
She said she knows this team well and senses from a strong practice round Monday the group is capable of pushing past old barriers to move past elite competition at the NCAAs.
"The competition is incredible at this point, but I am really happy with where we're at as a team right now," she said. "This team is really close, and they're all really playing for each other. They're fans of each other and will do anything to help each other out."
