[Wildcat Online: Sports] [ad info]
classifieds

news
sports
opinions
comics
arts
discussion

(LAST_STORY) (NEXT_STORY)


Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Athletes of the Week - Golfers Baena, Daniels duel it out in playoff round

By Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat,
April 5, 2000
Talk about this story

The only thing better than having one University of Arizona athlete finish in first place is having two.

Last week at the Dr. Thompson Rainbow Wahine Invitational in Hawaii, All-Americans senior Jenna Daniels and sophomore Cristina Baena both finished the tournament with leading scores of 3-under-par.

The two were content with being co-champions, but tournament officials said they needed to go into a sudden death playoff round.

"Both of us didn't want to go to a playoff," Daniels said. "We wanted to be co-champions."

"We both said that we are too good of friends to go out there," Baena said.

UA head coach Todd McCorkle didn't know exactly what to think.

"If Jenna was to win, she would probably rap up national player of the year honors. If Cristina was to win, she would see that she is capable of winning tournaments," McCorkle said. "I had a real mix of emotions."

Neither Baena nor Daniels said it was an intense atmosphere in the playoff round.

"It was almost as if we were playing in a practice round together," Daniels said. "It's not like we really wanted to beat each other and if she won, it was just as good as if I won."

"I didn't feel it was a playoff but I guess it was," Baena said.

Baena had an easy putt to win the individual title at the end of the first playoff hole of the playoff round.

Daniels told Baena in a joking around fashion to account for the wind that was blowing at the time. Baena, however, missed the easy four-foot put.

"I didn't think there was anyway she could miss it," Daniels said.

Baena and Daniels tied on the first hole of the playoff round and the two went on to the second hole. There, Baena had a 15-foot putt to win the tournament, and this time she drained it to capture her first individual title.

"I'm pretty happy because I have been waiting for it for a while," Baena said.

Although it was a sudden death playoff atmosphere, the two never wanted the other to lose.

"We were laughing so hard," Baena said. "We are both winners, and it doesn't make a difference."

Daniels was happy to see her teammate win her first individual title as a Wildcat.

"I was happy for her because it was her first victory," Daniels said.

Baena said she thinks her title will help her game in the future.

"Hopefully, it will help me and I will play better," Baena said.

McCorkle shares Baena's newfound confidence.

"It was exciting for Cristina to get her first win," McCorkle said. "I think this should propel her to many wins."


(LAST_STORY) (NEXT_STORY)
[end content]
[ad info]