Nelson’s Lauren Taylor’s recent success with her Portland State University Vikings golf team has been recognized with an impressive NCAA honour.
Last week Taylor was named Big Sky Conference freshman of the year and placed on the All-Big Sky Conference team with two of her teammates.
Taylor became the first Viking freshman to earn a tournament win on March 29 at the Cal State Fullerton’s Folino Invitational.
The following week, she won the UC Irvine Anteater Invitational.
Taylor’s scoring average of 75.80 is the best ever by a PSU freshman. She also tied a school scoring record for a 36-hole tournament with an even par 144 at the Folino. Taylor is a two-time Big Sky Conference golfer of the week.
The Granite Pointe-raised golfer is the highest-ranked freshman in the conference, which was the big reason for the Freshman of the Year honours. She is the first Viking ever to win the award.
Taylor is joined by teammates Tiffany Schoning and Britney Yada on the five-member all-conference team.
Senior Vikings player Kalyn Dodge also mustered second team all-conference status.
Portland State returns to competition April 18 to 20 when it travels to the Big Sky Conference Championship at Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona.
The defending 2010 Big Sky Champion Vikings will attempt to win their sixth conference title in nine years and earn a trip to the NCAA regionals.
— With files from Mike Lund/Portland State University