RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – The Wyoming women’s golf team closed the Mountain West Championship with a 315 (+27) on Wednesday to finish in seventh place at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Freshman Erin Sargent led the way for the Brown and Gold and tied for 21st in the individual rankings.

“The team really had to grind it out today,” UW head coach Josey Stender said. “We faced a tough wind for the front nine and couldn’t get the putts to drop that we had yesterday on the back. Overall, I’m happy with the best finish we’ve had in the Mountain West Championships in a long time.”

Wyoming totaled a 925 (+61) during the three-day championship event. It became the second-best team score for the Brown and Gold in the 18 MW Championships they’ve competed in. UW posted a 910 (+46) during the 2011 tournament in Litchfield Park, Ariz.

Sargent, a freshman from Longmont, Colo., completed her freshman campaign with a 76 (+4) on Wednesday. Her total score of 227 (+11) gave her a share of 21st place for the tournament and it also marked the sixth top-25 finish of her young career.

“I’m so proud of Mackenzie (Barrie) and her competitiveness this season as a senior,” Stender added. “I am grateful for the time I’ve had to coach both Mackenzie and Taylor (Dorans). Their endless dedication to the program and the university will no doubt leave a positive impact.”

Senior Mackenzie Barrie solidified her Cowgirl career with a third-round 78 (+6). With a score of 231 (+15), Barrie tied for 27th for what was the 11th top-30 finish of her tremendous career. Sophomore Megan Knadler shot an 80 (+8) during the final round. She finished one shot behind Barrie and tied for 30th of the 45 individuals.

Junior Gabrielle Gibson recorded a final-round 81 (+9) to move her total mark to 238 (+22). Gibson placed 39th while redshirt sophomore Sarah Hankins finished her first MW Championship with a 243 (+27).

Of the nine teams, No. 45 UNLV captured the championship with an 868 (+4). It was the second-consecutive team title for the Rebels. No. 30 San Diego State placed second three shots behind, as No. 35 San Jose State place third. SDSU’s Fernanda Escauriza moved up a spot during the final round for individual honors. She posted a 210 (-6) while SJSU’s My Leander recorded a 212 (-4) for second place.

“We couldn’t have had the record breaking season we’ve had without an entire team effort,” Stender mentioned. “This group is truly special and they have been an honor to coach.

With Sargent’s top-individual finish, it became the second-straight year a freshman has led UW at the championship. Kaylee Knadler finished in 35th place a year ago to pace UW. Gibson closed out her junior campaign with a 75.7 stroke average. It tied for second all-time in a single season. Juanita Rico holds the top spot and posted a 75.6 individual stroke average during the 2011-12 season. Additionally, Barrie closed out her final season with a 76.6 stroke average, as Sargent recorded a 76.7 average. Barrie’s season average is now fifth-best in UW history.

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MW Women’s Golf Championship

Wyoming Individual Scores

T21. Erin Sargent: 74 (+2) – 77 (+5) – 76 (+4) = 227 (+11)

T27. Mackenzie Barrie: 83 (+11) – 70 (-2) – 78 (+8) = 231 (+15)

T30. Megan Knadler: 77 (+5) – 75 (+3) – 80 (+8) = 232 (+16)

39. Gabrielle Gibson: 79 (+7) – 78 (+6) – 81 (+9) = 238 (+22)

43. Sarah Hankins:  80 (+8) – 79 (+7) – 84 (+12) = 243 (+27)

 Overall Team Standings

1. UNLV: 287 (-1) – 290 (+2) – 291 (+3) = 868 (+4)

2. San Diego State: 287 (-1) – 291 (+3) – 293 (+5) = 871 (+7)

3. San Jose State: 297 (+9) – 290 (+2) – 289 (+1) = 876 (+12)

4. Fresno State: 292 (+4) – 299 (+11) – 298 (+10) = 889 (+25)

5. New Mexico: 287 (-1) – 304 (+16) – 304 (+16) = 895 (+31)

6. Nevada: 304 (+16) – 305 (+17) – 302 (+14) = 911 (+47)

7. Wyoming: 310 (+22) – 300 (+12) – 315 (+27) = 925 (+61)

8. Colorado State: 311 (+23) – 305 (+17) – 317 (+29) = 933 (+69)

9. Boise State: 308 (+20) – 323 (+35) – 304 (+16) = 935 (+71)