FARMINGTON, Utah – The Eastern Washington University golf team was selected to finish ninth in the Big Sky Conference Preseason Poll as announced by the conference today (Jan. 20). The preseason poll was voted on by the league's head coaches who are not allowed to vote for their own team.
"Unfortunately, the poll is probably a little indicative as to how our fall season went," said head coach
Brenda Howe. "We definitely need to come out this spring with a lot more focus and determination. I know we're better than what we showed in the fall, and I'm looking forward to seeing much improvement after having a little break that allowed us to push the reset button."
The Eagles were selected to finish ninth out of 11 teams with 27 total points. Just eight votes separated EWU from Portland State who was selected eighth with 35 points. Eastern Washington finished ahead of both Montana State (24) and Montana (23).
Sacramento State, who has won three out of the last four championships, was chosen as the preseason favorite, collecting 10 of the available 11 first place votes with 100 total points.
The Eagles lost
Alexa Clark, who earned two All-Big Sky mentions, including a Second Team All-Big Sky award, six top-10 finishes, and two tournament titles in her career at the Eagle program.
EWU returns junior
Jaelin Ishikawa and sophomore
Morgan Baum, along with freshmen
Stephanie Chelack and
Carisa Padilla. EWU also welcomes two newcomers to the Eagle family in
Meghan Singh from Mesa, Arizona and
Kami Twining from Liberty Lake, Wash.
Eastern Washington officially opens the season on Feb. 28 at the Grand Canyon Invitational. The Big Sky Conference Golf Championship takes place on April 18-20 at the Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.
2021-22 Big Sky Women's Golf Coaches' Poll
1. Sacramento State – 100 (10)
2. Northern Arizona – 91 (1)
3. Idaho – 76
4. Weber State – 70
5. Northern Colorado – 63
6. Southern Utah – 60
7. Idaho State. – 36
8. Portland State – 35
9. Eastern Washington – 27
10. Montana State – 24
11. Montana – 23
