UBCO swings to a silver medal at the Canadian University/College Championship

After consecutive years of finishing the Canadian University/College Championship in third place, the UBCO women’s golf team moved up the podium and took home second place this time around.

The Heat stayed near the top of the leaderboard throughout the tournament, eventually finishing with a combined team score of plus 63, 34 shots ahead of third place and 42 shots behind first.

"I couldn't be prouder of how our team played this week," said head coach Clay Stothers.

"The past two national championships we had faltered down the stretch (to miss out on the silver medal), but full credit to the team, they learned from that experience and never relinquished their hold on second place all week."

Rookie Julia Alexander-Carew led the team with a fourth-round score of four-over par 76, finishing the tournament in second place on the individual leaderboard and receiving all-Canadian honours.

"Julia was unbelievable," said Stothers on the first-year golfer.

"Based on the conditions, and having her third-round end with one hole to go due to lightning, and then to come back to finish her 18th hole on Thursday before playing her fourth round, was so impressive. I'm super proud of her at her ability to overcome that adversity."

Joining Carew in the top 10 was third-year Emily Cornwall, who placed seventh overall at her third national championship.

Not far behind Cornwall was Lauren Nedo, who finished in a tie for 10th place with a combined score of 32-over par.

Rounding out the UBCO squad was rookie Maria Lllampallas, with a combined score of 38-over par for 17th overall.

The UBCO Heat men’s team also attended the championship as they made the final cut for the second consecutive year.

The men’s squad finished the event in sixth place and was led by second-year golfer Hunter Kutcher, who finished the event in 10th place.

"I'm happy for the guys as this was a good step forward for the program after finishing seventh last year," said Stothers.

"For a tournament that is won by teams that play their seniors, to finish sixth, with only first and second-year players, shows how bright the future is for our team."