PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Paige Crawford served notice two years ago as a freshman that she would contend for honors on the local golf scene. She was the area's top performer all season as a Doherty junior and recently capped that campaign by earning all-state recognition at the competitive 5A state tournament by placing 10th.

Crawford was the Metro League champion by an impressive 10 strokes. She had the season's lowest round of 70 and posted three Metro League scores in the 70s while no other golfer had two rounds below 80.

"Two of her strengths are consistency and ball-striking," first-year Doherty coach John Carricato said. "She's not only a golfer, but an athlete, and the hardest worker I've seen. Her parents developed a fine young woman who is mentally tough."

Crawford is The Gazette's Girls' Golfer of the Year.


You were tied for 15th after the first day at state with an 81 and followed up with 76. What was your goal at state?

My goal was to finish in the top 10. After the first day, I went to the driving range and the second day I felt more comfortable and relaxed. I putted well and made four birdies. I was very excited to make the top 10 and so happy to have a great round. I know I can take state next year.

How old were you when you began playing golf?

I was 7 when I started. I'd hit balls in the backyard for hours. I started playing competitively in sixth grade.

Who got you started playing golf?

My dad (Keith). He loves to play. I get to play with him in the summer.

When was the first time you beat your dad at golf?

I think it was two years ago. He was shocked and maybe a little mad. I was pretty happy.

How much golf do you play during the summer?

I play all the Pikes Peak Junior Golf tournaments and last year at least four CJGA (Colorado Junior Golf Association) tournaments. I'll be playing a lot more this summer and a lot more CJGA tournaments because that's where the talented girls from Denver play.

What's the most impressive thing about your game?

I hit my driver really well. People think I'm a little person (5-foot-2, 120 pounds) and that I can't hit it very far but I outdrive most people I play with by quite a bit.

What are your long-term goals?

I want to be a professional golfer. I think it's possible. I just have to keep working hard and hope it happens. I definitely want to go to college. Academics are very important.

How would you describe yourself?

I'm pretty quiet until I get to know people. I'm pretty conservative. In golf, I like to go for it. I'm pretty aggressive on the golf course.

What is one thing you'd like people to know about you?

I'm a very driven person. I work hard. I never get tired of practicing. I spend at least 3 hours a day at the course during school and 4 or 5 hours in the summer.

Have colleges contacted you?

I've been talking to Fresno State and Rutgers. I love sports. I couldn't live without it.

How are you trying to get better?

I just started lifting weights last summer. I'm trying to get stronger. I always work on my short game. You should never stop working on your short game. It's all about making putts.




COACH OF THE YEAR

When the season began, Bill Paulson never figured his Cheyenne Mountain girls could finish tied for second in the 4A state golf tournament. But they did and that earned Paulson recognition as The Gazette's Girls' Golf Coach of the Year.

"They don't like to lose and these girls took that to another level," said Paulson, who also led the Indians to the Metro League title. "They have fun personalities to be around, too."

Paulson has coached the Indian boys' golf team for 29 seasons and the girls for five years. He teaches U.S. history and plans to retire in two years.

"But I plan to continue coaching until they tell me I can't," he said. "The sport is exactly the same for both teams but there's a wider range of ability level for the girls, at least in our program."

The Palmer graduate ran track in high school and at Northern Colorado. He began playing golf at 11 and said he virtually grew up on Patty Jewett Golf Course.

Paulson is thankful to coach talented golfers but said that doesn't guarantee success.

"The perception, I think, among my colleagues is that it's easy to coach golf at Cheyenne Mountain," Paulson said. "Expectations are much higher than at some schools, though, and that creates pressure. We have high goals so a lot of the pressure is self-imposed, but that's the way I want it."




FIRST TEAM

Paige Crawford, Jr., Doherty

Metro League champ garnered All-State honors

Sam Stancato, So. Coronado

Metro runner-up had league's second-best score (77)

Justine Kemp, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain

Earned All-State honors with 8th place at 4A state

Jamie Zook, Sr., Palmer

Tied for 16th place in tough 5A state tournament

Alisa Lindsay, So., Rampart

Was 36th in 5A state, eighth in Metro

Forre Zook, So., Palmer

Was fourth in Metro League and qualified for 5A state

Becky Nelson, So., Cheyenne Mountain

Was 14th at state, helping Indians tie for second

Alli Slamkowski, Sr., Air Academy

Consistency earned her 10th place in Metro standings

Erin Terrio, Jr., Cheyenne Mountain

Improving performer was 25th at 4A state

Yujin Choi, Sr., Air Academy

Kadet placed 12th in Metro League competition




SECOND TEAM

Amber Bunch, So., Fountain-Fort Carson

Erika Nordblad, Jr., Florence

Sawyer Bisel, Sr., Cañon City

Kaylan Self, Jr., Sand Creek

Renata Bucher, So., St. Mary's

Sydney Pearson, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain

Sam Ginnett, So., The Classical Academy

Susan Kresge, Fr., Pine Creek

Monica Davis, So., Liberty

Alexis Rodarmel, Sr., Coronado




HONORABLE MENTION

Rachel Lee, senior, Lewis-Palmer; Kara Sullivan, senior, St. Mary's; Zoey Nunn, junior, Falcon; Millie Harrison, senior, Wasson; Kayla Miller, senior, Mitchell; Nicole Fluegel, senior, Lewis-Palmer; Audrey Meyer, sophomore, Palmer Ridge; Jessie Kresge, freshman, Pine Creek; Anna Gregorich, senior, Coronado.