FIVE BULLDOG WOMEN'S GOLFERS EARN ALL-GLIAC HONORS

*2008-09 All-GLIAC Women's Golf Release* PDF

Alison Meyer

Raquel Hansen

Meghan Hunter

Bryce Hetchler

Erin Fuchik

Five members of the nationally-ranked Ferris State University women's golf team garnered 2009 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Women's Golf recognition as announced by the conference office.

Seniors Alison Meyer (Duluth, Minn./Central) and Raquel Hansen (West Olive/Grand Haven) both earned first-team plaudits. Joining them as second-team selections were senior Meghan Hunter (Dexter) along with a pair of freshmen - Bryce Hetchler (Clinton Township/Fraser) and Erin Fuchik (Tulsa, Okla./Bishop Kelley).

Ferris State's five selections on one of the three (first, second, and honorable mention) all-conference teams tied Grand Valley State for the most in the league. Ashland placed four individuals on the all-GLIAC teams while Findlay was represented by three individuals among the 18 total student-athletes to receive all-conference accolades.

Grand Valley State's Ashley Smith was chosen as the GLIAC Women's Golf "Athlete of the Year" while her teammate Kristina Langton helped the Lakers to the 2009 conference tournament title by claiming medalist honors. The GLIAC Freshman of the Year went to Erin Misheff of Ashland and her coach, Pam Leonard, was recognized as the GLIAC Coach of the Year.

The GLIAC Women's Golf Team was based upon a player's stroke average in her 10 best conference rounds, including the three rounds of the GLIAC Championships. All ties were broken by total strokes in the GLIAC Championship Tournament.

The five Ferris State golfers helped the Bulldogs register a third-place finish at the 2009 GLIAC Women's Golf Championships (April 26-27) in Allendale, Mich.

Meyer was tabbed as an All-GLIAC First Teamer for the third (2006-09) consecutive season while Hunter did likewise as a second-team selection. Hansen was accorded first-team status after being picked to the All-GLIAC Second Team the previous three seasons.

The Bulldogs' top golfer this season, Meyer has produced a team-leading 77.05 stroke average (1,695 total strokes) in 22 rounds this season. She has totaled 10 top-20 placings this campaign, which includes five top-five performances. Meyer, a 2007-08 National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-America Honorable Mention honoree, placed tied for 12th at the conference tourney as a result of carding a two-round 164 score. She was honored as the GLIAC Women's Golf Athlete of the Week earlier this season (Sept. 17).

Hansen currently has turned in the 2008-09 squad's second-best average at 78.41 strokes (1,725 total strokes) per round in 22 rounds of competition. Hansen has produced six top-10 place performances this campaign, which included a 10th-place tying 163-stroke total at the 2009 GLIAC Championships.

A four-time (2005-08) all-league performer, Hunter became a three-time second-team selection this spring after receiving honorable mention laurels during her 2005-06 freshman season. Hunter is averaging a team third-best 79.23 strokes per round (1,743 total strokes) in 22 rounds. She has accumulated eight finishes among the top 20, which includes four top-10 place efforts.

Hetchler claimed the distinction of being Ferris State's top golfer at the 2009 GLIAC Championships with an eighth-place 160-stroke total en route to notching her third top-10 finish of the season. Hetchler, who also has generated six top-20 place outings this campaign, has averaged 80.20 strokes per round (1,604 total strokes) in 20 rounds to date. Fuchik presently ranks fifth among the Bulldogs' stroke average leaders at 81.44 (1,466 total strokes) in 18 rounds. Fuchik has chalked up six top-20 place performances, including three among the top 10 individual finishers. She netted a two-round 163 score at this season's league tournament to place in a 10th-place tie on the leaderboard.

With their selections, FSU women's golfers have combined for 46 All-GLIAC honors since 2000.

Ferris State, which is directed by second-year head coach Mike Mignano, is slated to make its eighth consecutive postseason appearance next week (May 3-5) as the Bulldogs participate in the 2009 NCAA Division II East Super Regional at California University of Pennsylvania's Cedarbrook Golf Course in California, Pa. FSU is currently listed eighth in the latest (April 22) Golf World/NGCA Women's Golf Coaches Poll.