May 4, 2004

By Cody Lounsberry
UNC Media Relations Intern

After four record-breaking seasons with the University of Northern Colorado's women's golf team, All-American Emily Russell is graduating on to bigger and better things.

Russell was born May 22, 1982 in Englewood, Colo. She attended Cherry Creek High School where she earned three varsity letters and led her team to a second-place finish at the state tournament her senior year. With an individual finish of 16th place at the state tournament her senior year, Russell was a prime prospect for the relatively young UNC women's golf team.

Russell came to UNC in the fall of 2000 as a walk-on for the women's golf team.

"I came to UNC because I heard they offer an outstanding undergraduate business program," Russell said.

Upon arriving at UNC, it was evident that Russell was a star waiting to be discovered. Finishing second on the team in scoring in both the fall and spring 2000-01 seasons and placing 32nd overall at the NCAA Championships with a four-round score of 345, Russell merely showed UNC golf fans a glimpse of what she was capable of accomplishing.

Returning to her position for the 2001-02 season, as a sophomore, Russell continued to excel. She led the team in scoring in the fall shooting an average of 80.3, and 80.1 in the spring. Russell also won the coveted Bear Spring Invite title and placed ninth at the North Central Conference (NCC) Championships. It was not until the 2002-03 season that her talent and leadership qualities really began to shine.

Russell was named a 2003 NGCA Second-Team All-American, leading her team in scoring average once again with an astounding fall average of 77.8, and 78.0 in the spring. Russell's extremely low average earned her the school record for scoring average in the fall, but this was just one of the many accomplishments she earned in the 2002-03 season. In the fall, she won five of the six tournaments she entered, not to mention her third-place finish at the NCAA Division II Championship which was the highest finish ever for a UNC golfer. Russell also won the 2003 NCAA North Regional Championship by shooting a 231 to finish three strokes ahead of field. She also placed second at the NCC Championships, shot a round of 74 on five occasions during the season and was named UNC Student-Athlete of the Month for September.

Russell's 2003-04 accomplishments were equally impressive. Under the guidance of head coach Jack Maughan, Russell shot an average of 77.6, beating her previous record of 77.8. She also placed first in UMKC Kenneth Smith Classic and the Grand Canyon Invitational. Russell also shot a season low round of 69 at the Colorado State Ptarmigan Fall Classic.

When asked what her overall opinion was of UNC Athletics, Russell responded that she really enjoyed the time she spent with the UNC golf team.

"It was a great experience," Russell said. "I found UNC athletics to be very competitive; everyone strives to be on top whether it is in conference tournaments or division championships."

UNC recently made the transition from a Division II to Division I and to Russell it did not seem to make too much of a difference.

"I didn't find the change to be that difficult," Russell said. "The only difference I noticed was the caliber of competition. When you're up against more competitive players you find yourself in a different position. You may be at the top of the game in Division II, only to find yourself somewhere in the middle after making the transition."

After graduation, Russell plans to turn professional in the world of golf. She plans to begin as an assistant professional and work her way up until she reaches the ranks of the LPGA.

The future looks bright for Emily Russell. She will be graduating in May with a degree in business management, but her real dream is to play professional golf and as of now that dream appears to be within her grasp.