SFU's Emily Leung Named GNAC Freshman Of The Year
Richmond's Emily Leung, Shown Above Competing In The WWU Invitational For SFU, Was Named The GNAC Freshman Of The Year - Image Courtesy SFU Athletics
courtesy Steve Frost, SFU Athletics
PORTLAND, Ore. – Simon Fraser University’s Emily Leung of Richmond was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Conference by conference coaches. Joining Leung on the First Team was sophomore Michelle Waters (Qualicum Beach) while freshman Belinda Lin (Surrey) was a Second Team selection.
The trio of first- and second-year players, along with Clan head coach John Buchanan who was named GNAC Coach of the Year, were recognized after leading Simon Fraser to its most successful season in women’s golf since joining NCAA.
Simon Fraser had five Top 10 finishes this season and the Clan won the 2016 GNAC Women’s Golf Championship for the first time since the start of GNAC women’s golf in 2011.
Buchanan led one of the youngest teams in the conference, which featured two sophomores and three freshmen competing at the GNAC tournament. The Clan shot a tournament record 617 to finish with an eight-stroke victory at the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course.
Leung ranked third in the conference with an average round score of 77.1. One of the highlights of the golf season was when Leung was the medalist at the Saint Martin’s Invitational on Oct. 9 and 10, the first tournament of her collegiate career. She also finished second at the Pioneer Shootout.
“Emily, in just her freshman year has had a profound effect on the success of the SFU Women's golf team,” said Buchanan. “From her first tournament she set a standard of play that inspired her teammates to their potential, resulting in our Women's team winning their first GNAC championship.”
Waters birdied the first playoff hole to win the GNAC Championship. It was her first tournament victory in two seasons at SFU. Waters carried an 80.6 scoring average throughout the year.
Lin was a Top 10 finisher in five of seven tournaments and carried a 79.4 scoring average.