Martinez leads MWC after first round

Wyoming junior Jonelle Martinez

SEASIDE, Calif. – Wyoming junior Jonelle Martinez is off to a hot start, leading the Mountain West Conference Women's Golf Championships by a pair of strokes after the first day.

As a team, the Cowgirls are in fifth place.

Martinez tied her best round ever with her opening round 70 (-2). She had six birdies, three of which were on four par-3’s. Her six birdies and nine pars cancelled out her two bogeys and one double-bogey. The first round 70 (-2) is the best round by a Cowgirl in the MWC Championship since 2006 when then freshman, Mikala Henzlik’s third-round 70 (-2). Martinez is two strokes ahead of second place Therese Koelbaek of UNLV.

“Jonelle played phenomenal today, as she was sticking the ball on the correct part of every green and really took advantage of each opportunity,” said UW head coach Josey Stender. “The course is not as narrow as I expected, however, the greens are extremely tough. If you are on the wrong side of the green, you could find yourself in quite a bit of trouble.”

The Cowgirls trail New Mexico by eight strokes, as the Lobos finished round one with a team 301 (+13). TCU and BYU are tied in second place with their matching 305’s (+17), while UNLV shot a team 306 (+18). The Cowgirls are in fifth with their 309 (+21), San Diego State 312 (+24) and Colorado State 314 (+26) round out the seven-team field.

Sophomore Molly Black and freshman Juanita Rico, two of three rookies playing in their first MWC Championship, followed Martinez’s lead as they opened with their own solid 78 (+6) and 80 (+8) respectively.

Black played a very solid front nine as she came into the turn playing even golf ,but hit a tough patch on the back nine. Junior Sarah Fogerty and sophomore Jenna Zamprelli rounded out the rest of the field for the Cowgirls with their first-round 81 (+9) and 85 (+13) respectively.

“Molly and Juanita really ground it out today and played tough for us,” said Stender. “With three of our five players playing in their first ever Championship it was tough for them but as soon as they calmed down they played great. This is right where we want to be, within striking distance."

The Cowgirls will be paired with UNLV on Friday at 8:30 a.m. (MST) for the second round. Live results can be followed at www.themwc.com.