Illinois Wesleyan runs away with third straight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin women's golf title, winning by 30 strokes; Taylor Paskell uses strong second day to win individual title as Titans stuff five in the top nine; Kathy Niepagen of Illinois Wesleyan named "Coach of the Year" for third straight time

KANSASVILLE, Wisconsin – There was little doubt about the team title in the 2004 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin women’s golf tournament as Illinois Wesleyan put five players among the top nine finishers and romped to an easy victory. The Titans of head coach Kathy Niepagen shot a two day total of 674, going 336 the first day and 338 the second at Brighton Dale Links Golf Course in Kansasville, Wisconsin. It was the third straight title for Illinois Wesleyan, which won the event by 30 strokes over runner-up Carthage’s second place total of 704 (355-349). In the past three years the Titans have won by margins of 33 (2002), 37 (2003) and 30 (2004) in their championship run.

Taylor Paskell used a tremendous second day to grab the individual title, shooting a 36 hole total of 164 to best teammate Ashley Higginson’s second place score of 165. Higginson actually had a big lead on the first day, shooting an 80 to lead by five strokes over a group of four players, one of whom was Paskell. On the second day Paskell roared home with a 79 while Higginson shot an 85 to give Illinois Wesleyan a one-two individual finish. The Titans had a total of five players finish in the top ten with Alison Mayer taking fifth at 171, Kristi Katz in eighth with a 174 and Megan Teschner grabbing ninth with a 176.

The score of 674 is the third lowest score ever recorded in CCIW championship play, trailing only the 658 recorded a year ago by Illinois Wesleyan and the 673 put up by Millikin in 2000. Behind Carthage, Wheaton was third at 711 and Augustana took fourth with a 756. Millikin placed fifth with a 790 and North Central’s 885 was sixth. North Park and Elmhurst did not field full teams.

Laura Molnar of Wheaton placed third with a 170 and her teammate Kelsey Francis was seventh at 174. The Carthage duo of Louise Haller (170) and Whitney Shartle (174) placed fourth and sixth respectively. Lydia Lindemann of Millikin rounded out the top 10 with a score of 177 in 10th place.

Kathy Niepagen of Illinois Wesleyan was selected as the "Coach of the Year" for the third consecutive season.

2004 CCIW TOURNAMENT

October 1-2 @ Brighton Dale Links Golf Course in Kansasville, Wisconsin