Fortin Claims Medalist Honors at Red Rocks Invitational

SEDONA, Ariz. – The Eastern Michigan University women's golf team carded a 315 in the final round of the Red Rocks Invitational to capture a two-stoke victory in the 15-team field here Sunday at par 72, 6,114 yard Oak Creek Country Club. The Eagles posted a score of 626 for the tournament (311-215). Western Michigan University finished second with a 628 (309-319) and host Northern Arizona University was third with a team total of 632 (314-318).

The tournament victory marks the 11th overall title in the program’s 14-year history and the third during the 2007-08 campaign. The win is also the program's seventh during head coach Sandy Wagner’s three-year tenure as coach.

EMU finished with three players in the tournament’s top 15, including senior Catherine Fortin (Beauceville, Canada-Polyvalente St. Francois) who captured medalist honors after firing a 150 (73-77). Her score is a personal best for a two round tournament, besting her previous low of 151 set earlier this season at the NIU Brickyard Invitational, Sept. 10-11, 2007.

Fortin's 36-hole total is also tied for the six lowest mark in program history. Overall, the first place finish is her third of her career and her first tournament win since last season at the Baja Invitational, Feb. 12-13, 2007. Additionally, it is her 15 career top 10 finish and the 28th career top 20 showing in 35 events.

Junior Stephany Fleet (Dewitt. Mich.-Dewitt) carded a 154 (76-78) to finish in sixth place out of 90 individuals. Fleet’s sixth place showing was her 12th top 10 finish in 26 career events. Freshman Darby Peters (Lake Orion, Mich.-Lake Orion) was the final Eagle to place in the top 15, finishing tied for 15th with a personal best total of 159 (80-79).

Junior Courtney Aili (Chelsea, Mich.-Chelsea) turned in a 165 (82-83) to tie for 34th place, while senior Paola Sanchez (Bogata, Colombia-Cedar Springs (Mich.) added a 54th place tie with a score of 169 (88-81).

Three Eagles were competing as an individual. Freshman Stephanie Bevington (Ossosso, Mich.-Owosso) finished in 58th place with a two-day mark of 170 (81-89). Redshirt freshman Melissa Spalding (Monore, Mich.-Monroe) shot at 172 (88-84) for a 62nd place tie and freshman Lina Pasquali (Kendallville, Ind.-East Noble) notched a 177 (83-94) to finish tied for 75th.

The Eagles look to continue their solid play at the Rio Verde Invitational Friday-Sunday, March 7-9, at Quail Run Golf Club in Rio Verde, Ariz.

Eastern Michigan Individual Results:
Pl. Player Scores
1. Catherine Fortin 73-77=150 +6
6. Stephany Fleet 76-78=154 +10
t15. Darby Peters 80-79=159 +15
t34. Courtney Aili 82-83=165 +21
t54. Paola Sanchez 88-81=169 +25
*t58. Stephanie Bevington 81-89=170 +26
*t62. Melissa Spaliding 88-84=172 +28
*t75. Lina Pasquali 83-94=177 +33
* - competing as an individual

Team Scores:
Pl. Team Scores
1. Eastern Michigan 311-315=626 +50
2. Western Michigan 309-319=628 +52
3. Northern Arizona 314-318=632 +56
4 Oral Roberts 314-319=633 +57
5 UC-Riverside 315-325=640 +64
6 Wyoming 323-320=643 +67
7 CSU-Northridge 328-327=655 +79
8 Northern Colorado 328-328=656 +80
9 Montana 331-326=657 +81
t10. Portland State 330-331=661 +85
t10. SC Upstate 330-331=661 +85
12. Montana State 331-344=675 +99
13. Utah Valley 346-336=682 +106
14. Southern Utah 343-343= 686 +110
15. Idaho State 357-366=723 +147