Women's Golf Recognizes Winners
May 12, 2004
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas women’s golf team handed out its annual end-of the-season awards Sunday May 9, at head coach Megan Menzel’s house. Four Jayhawks were honored for five awards.
Sophomore Chelsey Pryor earned two of the five awards. The Washington, Pa., native was honored as the Top Jayhawk, an award voted on by both the team and the coaches. This award is given to the player who contributes most to the team across the board as far as competitiveness, academics, worth ethic, community service and leadership.
“Chelsey had a real break-out year for our team,” Menzel said. “She contributed not only on the course, but academically, and also turned out to be a very strong leader on this team.”
Pryor also earned the Jayhawk Scoring Award. This award goes to the player who has the lowest overall scoring average for the season. Pryor led the team with a 78.06 stroke average. Pryor also broke two previous career-records, finishing tied for 10th place at the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic and shooting even-par (72) in the first round of the Big 12 Championships.
“Chelsey was the consistent player this year that you knew you could rely on,” Menzel said. “She will continue to get stronger throughout the summer and we look forward to her being one of the top players in the Big 12 over her two final seasons.”
Freshman Amanda Costner was honored as the Jayhawk Impact Player. This award is given to the player whose presence was felt throughout the year, whether it be on the course, leadership, academic, etc. It is also given to the player who helped the team at very important times. Costner led the team during the spring averaging 76.82 strokes per round. The Claremore, Okla., native placed in the top 20 five times this season, including three top 10 finishes. Costner tied for second at the Texas A&M “Mo”Morial and shot three-under-par (69) in the second round of the Mountain View Classic.
“Amanda had a great spring season and really started to show the type of player she can be,” Menzel said. “She showed throughout the spring season that she can play with the very best on any given day. Some of the scores and finishes she had this spring were very instrumental to the improvement of this team.”
Senior Jennifer Bawanan earned the Jayhawk Academic Award. The Modesto, Calif., native was tabbed First Team Academic All-Big 12 for the third consecutive season. This season, Bawanan compiled a stroke average of 79.95 per round. Shot a season-best 233 at the Edwin Watts Palmetto Invitational and the Mountain View Collegiate.
“As the only senior on this team, Jennifer will be missed,” Menzel said. “She was a nice leader for us this year and always set a high standard for her team in the classroom.
Freshman Sarah Kierl was honored as this year’s Most Improved Player. The Edmond, Okla., native redshirted for her freshman year and did not participate in the 2003-04 season.
“The coaching staff and her fellow teammates have noticed a big improvement in Sarah’s game this year (at practice),” Menzel said. “Sarah has done everything that we have asked of her and more. We look for Sarah to be a big part of our line-up in the next few years and her desire to be a great player is what will get her there.”
Award BreakdownTop Jayhawk Award — Chelsey Pryor
Jayhawk Scoring Award — Chelsey Pryor
Jayhawk Impact Player — Amanda Costner
Jayhawk Academic Award — Jennifer Bawanan
Most Improved Player — Sarah Kierl
