ALEXANDRIA, La. – Janelle Kraakman led the field of 29 and the Alabama State Women’s golf team to its second Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship in three years shooting a tournament low 160 (81-79).
“Our ladies team verified my decision last year to start over,” ASU’s Head Coach Dr. Gary Grandison said. “We are extremely young and we have room to develop. I have enjoyed our ladies attitudes and efforts. This Championship involved a collective effort from our coaching staff, our athletic staff and the community.”
Kraakman was awarded Most Valuable Player, Freshman Low Metalist, and Top Metalist for the tournament.
“Janelle played so much better than her score reflected,” said Grandison. She four-putted the 17th hole today for a double and tripled the 18th hole yesterday. She is raw but talented.”
The Lady Hornets finished the tournament with a total score of 327-330 -- 657, outdistancing Jackson State by 25 strokes. The Lady Tigers shot a two-day score of 344-338 -- 682.
Texas Southern was third with a score of 353-351 -- 704, while Prairie View was fourth (452-441 -- 893), Mississippi Valley fifth (464-440 -- 904) and Alcorn State sixth (470-442 -- 912).
The Low Medalist came down to the wire, ending in a tie between Kraakman and Kassandra Rivera of Texas Southern. The pair finished with a two-day total of 160. Kraakman got the nod with a 79 on Tuesday. Rivera had the better first round, but shot 81 on Tuesday and the low medal goes to the low score in the final round. Kraakman also was the Freshman Low Medalist for the championship.
The 2012 MVP, Shanequa Valentine of Prairie View again earned a spot on the All-SWAC first team, finishing third at 162. Stevie Booker of Jackson State and Mia Campbell of Alabama State finished fourth and fifth to round out the first team.
Brooklyn Kraakman of Alabama State led off the All-SWAC second team finishing sixth with a score of 165. Adriana Trevino of Texas Southern was seventh at 166, followed Lady Hornet Shanon Spinuzzi (168) and a trio of Jackson State golfers, Erica Payton (169), Amanda White and Barbara Wilson (175).
Alabama State's Gary Grandison was named SWAC Coach of the Year.
Low Medalist, SWAC MVP - Jenelle Kraakman (Alabama State)
Rookie Low Medalist, Freshman of the Year - Jenelle Kraakman (Alabama State)
All-SWAC First Team
Jenell Kraakman (Alabama State) -- 81-79--160
Kassandra Rivera (Texas Southern) -- 79-81--160
Shanequa Valentine (Prairie View) -- 80-82--162
Stevie Booker (Jackson State) -- 83-80--163
Mia Campbell (Alabama State) -- 84-80--164
All-SWAC Second Team
Brooklyn Kraakman (Alabama State) -- 80-85--165
Adriana Trevino (Texas Southern) -- 85-81--166
Sharon Spinuzzi (Alabama State) -- 82-86--168
Erica Payton (Jackson State) -- 86-83--169
Amanda White (Jackson State) -- 86-89--175
Barbara Wilson (Jackson State) -- 89-86--175