Sept. 27, 2006

   Marli Mikulecky, a transfer from Mississppi State who is from Osoyoos, B.C., has been selected as this week's Big Sky Conference Golfer of the Week.

The junior came one stroke from winning medalist honors in the Inland Empire Women's Intercollegiate Golf Tournament that concluded Tuesday (Sept. 26) at Hangman Valley Golf Course.

Mikulecky led the tournament through the first two rounds with first day performances of 72 and 70, then had a final-round 78 to finish at 220. Idaho's Kelly Nakashima birdied three of the final six holes to shoot a final-round 1-under-par 71 and claim medalist honors by a stroke.

"Marli played awesome and handled herself very well during the last round," said Eagle head coach Marc Hughes. "She finished second to a great player who had a great final round.  I'm very proud of her and we're lucky she's here. She had never really been in an overnight-lead situation before so she should feel very good about her tournament." 

Eastern finished four strokes behind Idaho for the team title, a week after placing 12th out of 17 teams at the Salbasgeon Suites Invitational in Corvallis, Ore.

Eastern finished ahead of fellow Big Sky members Montana and Montana State, giving the Eagles an 8-0 record in head-to-head competition within the league. Eagle sophomore Chloe Nelson earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors on Sept. 14 after the first week of the season.

Eastern returns to action Oct. 2-3 at the Heather Farr Invitational in Boulder, Colo.