KLUNDT TOPS WESTERN STATE CONFERENCE, FIRST MARAUDER GOLFER TO MEDAL IN SPORT

Photo by Ed Beyer, PhD

BAKERSFIELD - Michaela Klundt became the first Marauder ever to medal in golf after placing first overall at the Western State Conference Women's Golf Championship Sunday and Monday at the Kern River Golf Course, hosted by Bakersfield College.

In addition, to winning the conference title, Klundt was named the conference Player of the Year. Klundt regularly finished in the top three during the season.

"It feels really good to know that I am setting a bunch of records for AVC," Klundt said. "I thought they were pretty good days. The courses were short so that was in my favor. I was just better that day. I wasn't playing stellar, but I wasn't making silly mistakes."

Klundt shot a 76 on Sunday and trailed Santa Barbara City College's Elly Carlson by one stroke, who shot a 75. However, Carlson struggled the second day with an 82, while Klundt shot a 79. She was the only player to break 80 on both days, shooting a combined 155. Carlson was second with a 157 and Moorpark College's Georgia Shevitt (79/80) and Santa Barbara's Stephanie Farouze (79/80) were the only two other players to break 160. Both finished with a 159.

"I'm feeling pretty good. I think I've been hitting the ball pretty good and every course we play at, I'm ready," said Klundt, who shot an 82 at that same course earlier this season. "I feel like I could have shot better and I wasn't playing my best this weekend. I know what I need to do to be at par level."

Unfortunately, AVC did not have enough golfers to compete for a team championship. Three of its golfers were missing, including prior commitments and illnesses.

Klundt still moves on to the Southern California Championship on Nov. 5-6 at the Temecula Creek Golf Course.