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National champs?

Top-ranked women's golf team goes for biggest prize in a

For the top-ranked Arizona women's golf team, winning its final two tournaments of the season would not be a surprise.

The Wildcats, who have set a school record by winning six consecutive tournaments, will play in the NCAA Regionals May 11-13 to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

The Wildcats won the Pacific 10 Conference Championships two weeks ago in Tempe, and now heads to the Karsten Golf Course once again for the NCAA Regionals.

"Winning at ASU, we know we can play there," head coach Todd McCorkle said. "Since we won there two weeks ago, we are very confident about the regionals."

All-American senior Jenna Daniels believes the team is ready to capture a national championship.

"We are down for the challenge and hopefully in the end we will prevail," Daniels said. "It should be fun."

Daniels, who is the top ranked player in the nation, is coming off a career year. Along with two individual titles, she has finished in the top-10 in every tournament she has participated in.

"It's been a lot of fun for me this year," she said.

Daniels, though, is leaving Arizona after this season and will try to turn pro after the summer.

"I think that the past month or two I have started to realize that it is time for me to move on," she said. "I'm definitely very sad about leaving but I'm excited about what is coming in my future."

Daniels, who was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year, accredits much of her success to McCorkle.

"Coach McCorkle has probably been the biggest influence on me but not only as a golfer but as an individual," Daniels said. "He is someone I will always be close too and I know that anytime I am struggling, he will be there for me."

Daniels isn't the only Wildcat that will be turning pro after this season, though, as All-American senior Jill Gomric is also heading for the LPGA.

McCorkle said both golfers have been key factors for the Wildcats in their four years at the school.

"What they have meant to Arizona golf is incredible. The team was built around those two," McCorkle said. "Their leadership will be irreplaceable."

With the two All-Americans departing, McCorkle realizes this year has been special for his program.

"I think it has been a dream year for our team," McCorkle said. "I truly felt we were the best team in the country."

Kamy Shaygan can be reached at sports@wildcat.arizona.edu.

InfoBox

hedder: Up Next

May 11-13, NCAA West Regional, Tempe

May 24-27, NCAA Championships, Sun River, Ore.