April 23, 2003
Niceville, Fla. - Senior John Mullendore tied for third place at the 2003 Sun Belt Conference golf championships today after carding an even-par 72 in the final round to finish at minus one for the event. Western's team captain posted a 215 three-day total to lead the Hilltoppers to a sixth-place finish. For his play, Mullendore earned a spot on the men's all-conference team, while senior Jennifer McGill was named to the women's all-SBC squad.
The Lady Toppers recorded their best score of the tournament in the final round and rode senior Crystal Anglea's 19th-place finish to seventh overall. Head coach Chuck Eison's squad improved their score each round, culminating on the final day with a 319 score to move up from eighth place entering Wednesday's final round. McGill was second among Lady Topper golfers, narrowly missing the top 25 after firing a 75 in the third round, her best score of the tournament. Her spot on the all-conference team follows a year in which she posted four top-10 finishes and took medalist honors at the Evansville Invitational.
After an opening-round 74, Mullendore put himself into contention with a three-under par 69 in the second round. He entered the final day tied for fourth, but secured his best finish of the season with his even-par round. Senior Jared Topmiller (76-76-73 - 225) and freshman Robby Shaw (76-76-74 - 226) joined Mullendore in the top 25, finishing 23rd and 24th, respectively.
The New Mexico State women's golf team captured their third-straight SBC title led by Alena Sharp, who took medalist honors with a 216 three-day total. The North Texas Mean Green won the men's team title with an 862, 10 strokes better than second-place Denver. UNT's Brad Bessler, who led after each of the first two rounds, held on to take medalist honors by one-stroke over the Pioneer's Barrot Jarosch.
The SBC Championship marks the end of the 2003 spring season for the Lady Toppers. The Hilltoppers close out their season on Friday and Saturday at the Rutherford Intercollegiate, hosted by Penn State.
- WKU -
