Chekalina and Croft Make 2019 Big Sky Third Team All-Conference

BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE
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OGDEN, Utah (April 18, 2019) - Aleksandra Chekalina and Ashley Croft were both announced by the conference office as 2019 Big Sky Third Team All-Conference honorees on Thursday. 

Elle Kocourkova and Lexi Keene also picked up spots on the Honorable Mention team. Three of NAU's four honorees were newcomers this past season. Chekalina, Croft and Kocourkova started every tournament during the 2018-19 season for the 'Jacks. 

Chekalina averaged a score of 75.18 this year and shot for par or better four times. Her best round of the year so far came during the opening round of the Red Rocks Invitational. Chekalina shot for three-under 69 and ended the Invite with a seventh place finish; the 'Jacks top performance of the 2018-19 regular season. 

Croft's first college season was just as impressive as Chekalina's. While also golfing in every tournament that featured NAU this season, Croft averaged a score of 75.36 during the regular season and had six par or better finishes. Her top performance also came during the first round of the Red Rocks Invitational where she was two-under 70. On Feburary 20th Croft was named the Big Sky Women's Golfer of the Week after her showing at the Rebel Beach Invitational. 

Kocourkova was one of the Lumberjacks most consistent golfers throughout the fall and spring. She was right beside Chekalina and Croft during the 2018-19 campaign and averaged a score of 75.46 in NAU's ten tournaments. Kocourkova's lowest round came during the third round of the GCU Women's Spring Invitational where she shot for three-under 69. Her best finish was a tie for 17th-place at the 'Jacks last tournament, the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic.

Despite only seeing action in five tournaments this season Lexi Keene earned a spot on the Honorable Mentions list for having convincing performances during her few appearances this year. Most noteably Keene came in ninth-place overall on the player leaderboard at the New Mexico State Aggie Invitational this past fall. She carded 73-75-71 in that tournament and had the Lumberjacks lowest average score at 74.85.

"We are pleased to have four of our girls named to the all conference teams," said head women's golf coach Brad Bedortha. "Having all of our freshman selected shows how well they performed this year and how bright the future of our program looks. Lexi had a great fall season and unfortunately hasn't been able to compete this spring but we are looking forward to her getting better and back into our lineup. I believe that this is the most players that we have had on the all conference teams in quite a few years and once again, we're really excited for the future!"

2019 Big Sky All-Conference Team
 
Player of the Year: Sophie Hausmann, Idaho
Freshman of the Year: Chanikan (Pluem) Yongyuan, Southern Utah
 
#Denotes Four-Time First Team Honoree
^Denotes Second-Time First Team Honoree
 
First Team
Sophie Hausmann, Idaho#
Chanikan (Pluem) Yongyuan, Southern Utah
Julia Becker, Sacramento State^
Corinne Viden, Sacramento State
Valeria Patino, Idaho
 
Second Team
Sofie Babic, Sacramento State
Jasmine Cabajar, Portland State
Nishtha Madan, Sacramento State
Alexa Clark, Eastern Washington
Michelle Kim, Idaho

Third Team
Beah Cruz, Northern Colorado
Aleksandra Chekalina, Northern Arizona
Valerie Hernandez, Portland State
Kamonwan (Poy) Prasurtwong, Southern Utah
Ashley Croft, Northern Arizona
 
Honorable Mention
Sydney Smith, Sacramento State
Eliska Kocourkova, Northern Arizona
Madalyn Ardueser, Eastern Washington
Vicky Tsai, Idaho
Lexi Keene, Northern Arizona

Northern Arizona golf will begin the Big Sky Conference Championship on Friday, April 19th in Boulder City, Nev. You can follow the 'Jacks at @NAUGolf on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to get all the latest and up-to-date information on Lumberjack golf.