Off the Tee

The Kansas State Wildcats travel to the Mountain View Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., March 26-27, 2005. The first 36 holes will shotgun start Saturday at 8 a.m. (MST), with the final round beginning with an 8 a.m. shotgun start Sunday.

Setting the Scene

Head coach Kristi Knight said the field at this year’s tournament is the best it’s been in recent years and will be a good test for the young Wildcat squad. “We have the potential to compete and be at the top of the field,” Knight said. “If we can get four scores. We have had trouble handling the adversity we’ve seen. Everyone has done it at some point this season; we just don’t do it consistently as a team.” Over the Easter weekend tournament, Arizona natives Sarah and Katy Heffel will play in front of family. Also making the trip is Kali Quick’s family from Idaho and Michelle Regan’s family from Kansas.

Last Time Out

The Wildcats finished 14th at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational, with scores of 322-328-322--972. Led by sophomore Helene Robert’s tie for 28th, including a third-round 74, the Wildcats previewed the course to be played at the Big 12 Championships. K-State defeated three Big 12 teams, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Tech.

Mountain View Invitational History

K-State holds the record for the lowest team score at the event, with a 290 in the second round at the 2003 tournament. Arizona also accomplished that feat in 1999. The Wildcats won the Mountain View in 2002, with a two-round 597. Individually, former Wildcat Christine Boucher shot a 2-under 70 in the third round of the 2003 tournament, in which she took the individual title. Also, in 2001, Elise Carpentier won the event with a 145.

Double Duty

Freshman Kali Quick and sophomore Helene Robert are both averaging 77.7 strokes per round on the year to lead the Wildcats. Quick finished in the top 20 of three fall tournaments. She tied for 19th in the season-opening Ptarmigan/Ram Fall Classic, tied for fifth in the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational and tied for 14th in the Wildcats’ outing at the Edwin Watts/Palmetto Intercollegiate. Over the fall, Robert led the team as she finished tied for fifth at the Ptarmigan/Ram Fall Classic, tied for 26th at the Jeannine McHaney Invitational and tied for 23rd at the Price’s Give Em Five Challenge.

Opponent Record

K-State will encounter three teams they have yet to face this season at the Mountain View Invitational. The Wildcats have posted a 9-18 record against the previous opponents, defeating Denver three times, Kansas twice and Boise State, Nebraska, Northern Arizona and Portland State each once. K-State has yet to see Idaho and Washington State.

Knight Time

Head coach Kristi Knight continues her 10th campaign with the Wildcats this spring. Under Knight, K-State has recorded five tournament wins, including the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational and the Texas A&M Mo’Morial during the 2003-04 season. The Texas native and Oklahoma alum has coached Wildcat teams to four straight NCAA Regional appearances and 32 top-five finishes.