UW golf signs three

With the national signing period upon college athletics, the Wyoming golf program recently signed three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Wyoming beginning in the fall of 2010. Those signees include Stacey Blunt, Emily Wood and Jake Hedge.

“We are really looking forward to having Stacey, Emily and Jake join the Wyoming golf program,” Wyoming Director of Golf Joe Jensen said. “We like the direction both programs are heading right now, as both the men and women are at or near the upper third of the national rankings. By adding three student-athletes like these, we won’t take a step backwards when others graduate. These three newcomers will all compete for a position in each lineup right away.”

Blunt, from Federal Way, Wash. (Decatur High School), was a two-time South Puget Sound League Player of the Year while leading her team to a fifth-place finish in 2009 at the Washington State Tournament. Individually, Blunt finished 11th in ‘08 and 19th in ‘09 at the 4A Washington State Championships. Academically, she was a member of the National Honor Society all four years of her high school career, as well as being named to the All-Academic team for three years. Stacy was also recruited by Montana State and Seattle University.

“Stacey is very disciplined on the golf course and has great golf savvy,” Cowgirls coach Josey Stender said. “She is very goal oriented and is one of the most mature 18 year olds I have seen in a long time.”

Wood, from Salida (Colo.) High School, is the 2009 4A State Champion, along with finishing sixth in ‘07 and ‘08. She also placed 53rd at the Junior America’s Cup in Logan, Utah and 13th in the Mary Cave Cup in San Diego, Calif. During her junior year, her stroke average was a 76.8 for the entire season.

“Emily is an extremely good ball striker and has a great sense of the game,” Stender added. “We are excited to have both of these girls join the Wyoming program, as they fit the mold perfectly as athletic, well-rounded players with regional and some national experience.”

Hedge comes to Wyoming from Billings, Mont., where he excelled at Billings West High School and was a member of four consecutive Montana state championship golf teams. During the 2008 season, Billings West won every tournament in which they competed.

Individually, Hedge was an All-State performer all four years of his high school career. He won the 2A Montana State Championship as a freshman.

In addition to golf, Hedge was a member of the National Honor Society. He is the son of Kathy and John and has two brothers and one sister. His brother Josh played golf at Xavier University.

Hedge was also recruited by Colorado State, Washington State, South Dakota State and Weber State.

“Obviously, we are thrilled to have Jake as a member of the Wyoming golf family,” Jensen said. “He is regarded as one of the top players in this region and has played well in a lot of national events. He had numerous opportunities to play at different schools, but he chose to be a Cowboy and we are very excited he did.

“Jake will have the opportunity to come here and contribute immediately as a freshman. He is a fabulous student and will fit in nicely with our current team.”