Kueny Named Big Ten Women’s Golfer of the Year, No. 12 Spartans Take Second At Big Ten Championships

MADISON, Wis. – Senior Laura Kueny was named the Big Ten Women’s Golfer of the Year and the No. 12 Spartans finished second at the 2010 Big Ten

Kueny finishes third overall, her highest career placing at the Big Ten Championships. Photo courtesy of the MSU SID

MADISON, Wis. – Senior Laura Kueny was named the Big Ten Women’s Golfer of the Year and the No. 12 Spartans finished second at the 2010 Big Ten Championships after shooting a 302 in the fourth and final round of the tournament Sunday afternoon at University Ridge Golf Course. The Spartans have now placed in the top three in the Big Ten Championships the past seven years.

 

Kueny, who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the third straight year, posted her best career showing at the Big Ten Championships by placing third with a 2-under 286 (72-68-74-72). She tied a school record with a 68 in the second round and closed the tournament by carding an even-par 72. Kueny finished six shots back of medalist Laura Gonzalez from Purdue.

 

Kueny becomes just the second player in program history to be named Big Ten Women’s Golfer of the Year (Emily Bastel, 2002) and only the fifth player in program history to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors three straight years (Lisa Marino, Kasey Gant, Sara Brown and Bastel).

 

“Being named the Big Ten Player of the Year is something special and quite an accomplishment for Laura,” said MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll. “With her performance these past three tournaments, everything is really falling into place for her as she finishes her career.

 

“The two words to describe Laura are steady and consistent. She played consistent all weekend in tough conditions. We expect great things for her in the regionals, and I know she’s excited about playing against some of the best players in the nation.”

 

Overall, MSU registered a team score of 1185 (296-290-297-302), placing second to No. 8 Purdue, who shot an 1158 (289-282-294-293). The Spartans leaped Ohio State in the final round to finish four shots ahead of the 19th-ranked Buckeyes.

 

“We did a lot of good things this weekend, but there’s also a few things we need to work on as well,” said Slobodnik-Stoll, who with the second-place finish has placed in the top three at the Big Ten Championships 10 times in her 13-year career. “Purdue is a tough team and has some excellent players. We need to build on this performance for regionals.”

 

Junior Aimee Neff compiled a 72 in the final round to jump 17 places up the leaderboard on the last day and into a tie for 11th. Neff finished the tournament with an even-par 299 (75-77-75-72). For the third consecutive season, Neff was named second-team All-Big Ten following the tournament.

 

“Aimee earned All-Big Ten honors her freshman year and has played a lot of great golf since that point to get on the all-conference team every year of her career,” said Slobodnik-Stoll. “We’re happy for Aimee and that she’s been able to maintain her consistency.”

 

Playing in her first Big Ten Championships, freshman Caroline Powers tied for 16th with a 2-over 301 (75-72-76-78).

 

Sophomore Lindsey Solberg, who was named MSU’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient, finished in a tie for 22nd after totaling 304 (74-77-73-80) for the tournament, while junior Natalie Brehm tied for 32nd with a 308 (80-73-75-80).

 

Sophomore Shannon Warner placed 46th with a 315 (77-78-77-83).

 

The NCAA will announce selections for the regionals on Monday afternoon (April 26). The NCAA Regionals take place May 6-8.