Even though the Lobos came up short of winning the national title, junior Kailin Downs has something big to celebrate.
Downs is the recipient of the prestigious Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award for the 2003-04 season. The award is presented to one NCAA women's golf player each year based on academic and athletic achievement. Downs has maintained a 3.82 cumulative grade point average in her three years at UNM.
Downs said she was a strong candidate for the award last year, but didn't get it.
"It's kind of been in the back of my mind, so it was a goal," she said. "But it was a very pleasant surprise."
Downs said she was so surprised when she was presented the award at the National Golf Coaches Association banquet, she couldn't hold back the tears. She said it is a very special award.
"When I came back to the table, I lost it," she said. "I couldn't even look at anybody. This is something that's real great and All-American status. It was so cool."
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Downs finished the season ranked No. 32 nationally and set a UNM junior class record with a stroke average of 73.91. In fact, she has set class scoring records every year she has played for UNM.
There was a strong possibility the women's golf team would follow in the footsteps of the Lobo ski team and win the second national title of 2004. After advancing to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships for the first time since Downs has been at UNM, the Lobos were upset and fell into a tie for 15th place. UNM was ranked as high as No. 3 this season, winning four out of 10 of its tournaments.
Downs said the team's focus is on more than just the championships in Auburn, Ala., though.
"We're trying to look at it as the whole year, not just that one tournament," she said. "We only had one or two good rounds, and we didn't really do what we wanted to do. But we had 10 tournaments and won four. It's hard to focus on that now, but getting to nationals was a huge step in itself."
Downs shot a 1-over-73 in the final round to finish 76-71-76-73 - 296 (+8). But it was sophomore Christine Fernandez who unexpectedly led the Lobos with a 7-over-par score of 79-73-72-71 - 293.
"I think Christine had a really good ending to the season," Downs said. "She participated all year, but that was the first time she led in a school tournament."
UCLA won the national title with a 289-283-290 - 1148, which was good for 4-under-par. The Lobos finished 45-over.
Downs said the Bruins were consistent throughout the tournament.
"They put four really strong rounds together," she said. "They had an awesome spring season. You could just tell that they had a goal and they went out and accomplished it."
Downs is now preparing for the Women's Western, which will take place the second week in June in Wisconsin. After that she will represent the United States at the 2004 U.S. vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship July 13-16 in Chiba, Japan.
