27 November 2000
CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, (309) 556-3206

Nelson Chosen as IWU Women’s Golf MVP

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Sophomore Gail Nelson has been selected as the "Most Valuable Player" for the Illinois Wesleyan University women's golf team.

Nelson, who was the Titans' low scorer in nine of 10 meets this fall, averaged 83.3 strokes over 16 rounds and had a season best of 76 at the Lady Titan Invitational on Sept. 16. Nelson (Frankfort, Lincoln-Way HS) was medalist at the Wisconsin-Whitewater, Illinois College, and Monmouth invitationals and placed second in two other meets. She was IWU's top finisher at the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin meet, placing sixth with a two-day score of 173.

Senior Kelly Kostock (Elgin, Burlington Central HS) earned the team's "Most Improved Player" honor. Kostock averaged 90.5 strokes in 16 rounds and posted her season-best score of 85 at the Wisconsin-Oshkosh invitational and in the final round of the CCIW championships.

Kostock pared her average steadily through her college career, going from 99.4 as a freshman to 96.6 as a sophomore to 95.0 as a junior.

Freshmen Ann Martin (Roanoke-Benson HS) and Jenny Lymangood (Naperville, North HS) tied for second among IWU players with identical 87.4 scoring averages while junior Melissa McMahon (Minier, Stanford Olympia HS) averaged 88.0 per round this season.

Niepagen awarded letters to eight players. They are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIOR - Kelly Kostock (Elgin, Burlington Central HS).

JUNIORS - Amy Cline (Decatur, Eisenhower HS), Melissa McMahon (Minier, Stanford Olympia HS).

SOPHOMORES - Gail Nelson (Frankfort, Lincoln-Way HS).

FRESHMEN - Paige Lewis (Normal, West HS), Jenny Lymangood (Naperville, North HS), Ann Martin (Bloomington, Roanoke-Benson HS), Stephanie Morton (Elgin, Larkin HS).