May 3, 2011

Chelsey Cothran/NCAA Regional Notes in PDF Format

AUBURN, Wash. - Baylor women's golf junior Chelsey Cothran's quest for an individual NCAA title begins Thursday at the NCAA West Regional at Washington National Golf Club. The 54-hole NCAA West Regional will be conducted May 5-7 with 18 holes each day. Live results will be able at www.golfstat.com.

Cothran is the first individual in Baylor women's golf history to qualify for an NCAA Regional. In 2002, Melanie Hagewood earned a trip as an individual to the NCAA Championships, which was also held at Washington National Golf Club; Hagewood finished 50th overall.

"I'm really excited to be going back to NCAA Regionals," Cothran said. "This will be my third year competing (at the Regional level), but the first without my teammates. I'm glad that my hard work has paid off."

The Springdale, Ark., native joins Kayla Mortellaro (Idaho), Teo Poplawski (Idaho), Amy Anderson (North Dakota State), Brianna Espinoza (Colorado State) and Jessica Hollandsworth (Maryland) as the six individuals competing at the NCAA West Regional. In addition, the NCAA West Regional will feature 24 teams: USC, Virginia, Arizona, Georgia, Tennessee, Pepperdine, Iowa State, UC Davis, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, Tulsa, Denver, San Diego State, BYU, New Mexico, UTSA, Portland State, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Oral Roberts and UTEP. The top eight teams and the top two individuals not a qualifying team will advance to the 2011 NCAA Championship, which will be held May 18-21 at The Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas.

"I've been working with my swing coach (Baylor assistant Jordan Cox) and have (my swing) right where I want it," Cothran said. "(Not having my teammates there) could be a factor, but I know they'll be supporting me."

Cothran was a staple in Baylor's lineup throughout the season, starting all 10 tournaments. She was the only Lady Bear golfer to have each of her 31 rounds count towards the team score. She also led the team in scoring average (74.35), score vs. par (2.35) and rounds of par or better (eight). She posted top-25 finishes in seven of Baylor's 10 tournaments, including an 18th-place showing at the Big 12 Championship. Her 74.35 scoring average is the third-lowest single-season average in school history, behind only former teammate Hannah Burke (73.88) in 2009-10 and Allison Martin (73.74) in 2006-07.

"Ironically, I've walked Washington National with Melanie Hagewood who was an individual at nationals in 2002," head coach Sylvia Ferdon said. "I think Chelsey can play the course really well. She's been on the big stage before at the amateur level so I know she can handle that style of golf."

She has four career top-10 finishes to her credit, including a second-place finish at the 2011 Baylor Spring Invitational. In three seasons, she owns 16 top-25 finishes in 29 total tournaments, while sporting a 76.05 career scoring average in 83 rounds.

"Chelsey's contributed with every golf score this year, which is huge when you are teeing up five and taking four scores," Ferdon said. "She's a leader, hard-working and this honor is very much deserved."

With Cothran's selection, Baylor has been represented in NCAA regional competition in 11 of the last 12 seasons, making team appearances 10 times - all under the guidance of 17th-year head coach Sylvia Ferdon.