Leina-less CSU-Pueblo tipped to finish second

The Colorado State University-Pueblo’s women’s golf team, even without senior Leina Kim, was voted to finish second again in the 2015-2016 season of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Colorado State University-Pueblo women’s golf team assistant coach Leina Kim, left, joins the Lady ThunderWolves before the start of the Farmers Insurance Samuel Proal Invitational on Monday at the Walking Stick Golf Course in Pueblo, Colorado. (Contributed Photo)

Kim, considered to be one of the most successful female golfers in of CSU-Pueblo’s history, will be making her debut as one of the Lady ThunderWolves’ assistant coaches this season after using up her eligibility.

CSU-Pueblo, which finished second to Metropolitan State University of Denver last season, are again predicted to duplicate their feat behind the Roadrunners based on a preseason poll among RMAC coaches.

The Lady ThunderWolves garnered 120 points behind RMAC favorites MSU-Denver’s 143 with the Roadrunners getting 11 first-place votes. Western New Mexico, Colorado Mesa and Regis made it to the Top 5 with 118, 117, and 95 points each.

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (88), Adams State (78), Colorado Christian (73), Black Hills State (55), Chadron State (44), Westminster (31), South Dakota Mines (27), and Fort Lewis (25) completed the list.

CSU-Pueblo, behind Kim and veteran Julie Sanchez’s exploits, placed second behind MSU-Denver. She secured the RMAC individual crown with a 9-under 135, while Sanchez landed fifth that helped the Lady ThunderWolves to the runner- up finish.

MSU-Denver junior Cha Cha Willhoite was voted as the Preseason Golfer of the Year and also leads the Preseason All-RMAC Team that also includes teammate Allie Johnston, Colorado Mesa’s Sara Swaney and Taylor Walters, and Colorado Christian’s Katrina Mendez.

In other news, the young CSU-Pueblo squad, which has three rookies on its lineup, managed to clinch a tie for fourth place in its home tournament, the Farmers Insurance Samuel Proal Invitational that ended Tuesday at the Walking Stick Golf Course.

According to the Lady ThunderWolves website, the hosts, behind freshmen Courtney Ewing and Malaysian Jolene Kam, kicked off their fall season campaign with a combined 627 in the 36-hole tournament.

Hometown bet Ewing, who made one of the three eagles in the tournament, finished seventh overall after submitting a 10-over 152 while Kam, who was 2-under in par-5 scoring, ended up tied for eighth spot with a 12-over 154.

The Lady ThunderWolves will travel to Fox Hill Golf Club in Longmont, Colorado for the RMAC#1 next week on Sept. 14 and 15.