Golfers 7th at WIAC Championships

• Matt Cranson

Matt Cranston

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The UW-River Falls golf team wrapped up the 2010 season by finishing seventh place at the WIAC Championships over the weekend.

The hard work, dedication and improvement the Falcons have shown this year did not go unnoticed as head coach Matt Cranston was named the WIAC Co-Coach of the Year. The award is voted on by the coaches in the conference and the tremendous strides the Falcons made this year were recognized by Cranston’s peers.

“The award also goes to all of the assistant coaches and players,” said Cranston, who also coaches the St. Croix Valley Fusion girls’ high school hockey team.

Continuous improvement and positive attitude has been the driving force for the Falcon golfers in 2010 as they carried it with them all the way to the final round.

“Overall, the year was good,” Cranston said. “We improved as the year went along and we’re heading in the right direction.”

All five golfers broke 100 for the first time this season, a feat that has not been achieved for 16 rounds. In addition, the Falcons have had a golfer set a season-low in each of the final five rounds of 2010.

Former Wildcat Mackenzie Casey led the way once again for the Falcons, scoring a team-best 92 in Sunday’s final round to finish the three-day event with a total of 269. Casey’s steady play was enough to place 26th overall in the final weekend.

UW-Eau Claire successfully defended its conference title and have now won seven titles overall and five in the last seven years. The Blugolds also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship in May. Sara Mattes of Eau Claire took home medalist honors with a total of 242 strokes.

Tags: sports, proam, falcons, golf