OKAMOTO GARNERS ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS IN BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE

RESULTS

GREENWOOD, S.C. – Playing her way into all-conference honors in the season finale, senior Jade Okamoto finished in a tie for ninth place individually and guided Radford to a sixth-place showing at the 2012 Big South Women's Golf Championship Wednesday afternoon at The Patriot Club.

Okamoto posted the second-best front nine tally of any Highlander at two-over. Through 15 holes, Okamoto stood at six-over, and then at the opportune moment, birdied two of her last three holes to garner her first career all-conference honor. She finished the day at four-over 76 and wrapped up the event at 229 (+13).

“Jade has come close to making all-conference in the past and for her to play the final three holes at two-under to get that honor says a lot,” commented head coach Jeff Beeler. “I'm proud of both seniors, Amy [McCollum] and Jade. They've helped set a solid foundation for this program to build on.”

Okamoto became the fourth consecutive all-conference performer under Beeler's tutelage.

As a team, Radford (310-314-317) handed in a 941, the second lowest 54-hole total in program history at the conference championship. Additionally, the 317 final-round score was the second lowest at the conference championship in Radford history.

This year's squad set a new single season stroke average record (311), eclipsing the previous mark by six strokes.

“The team accomplished a lot this year and is without a doubt the best team we've had at Radford.”

Beginning the final round in the red with a birdie on the par-4 first, Paige Reese entered the back nine at four-over. She got a stroke back on the 11th hole, but capped the day at 81 (+9) and 231 overall to finish 11th.

“Paige had a great week and I know she's disappointed the way she finished, but she played very solid.”

Alexandra Austin made a surge over the front nine. After giving away three swings to start the day, she got two shots back with birdies on 4 and 8 and entered the turn one-over. Austin then concluded her first collegiate conference tournament with Radford's second-best score of the day at 77 and tied for 25th overall with a 238.

Kirsty Condon shot a 244 and tied for 35th overall, while Amy McCollum concluded her Radford career at 251.

Campbell claimed the team title and Brittany Henderson from Coastal Carolina shot a tournament-record two-under 214 to take medalist honors.

Note: Presbyterian's scores do not officially count due to Division I transition.

Team Standings
1.     Campbell (890)
2.     Coastal Carolina (896)
3.     Gardner-Webb (921)
4.     Charleston Southern (938)
5.     Winthrop (939)
6.     Radford (941)
7.     Bucknell (951)
8.     High Point (956)
**Presbyterian (961)
9.     Holy Cross (1174)
** Not eligible due to Division I transition

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