California State University Northridge Athletics
Chris Russo, Margo Dionisio Earn 2011-12 All-Big West Golf Team Honors
5/9/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Cal State Northridge had two golfers named 2011-12 All-Big West Conference this week as junior Chris Russo earned first team honors for the men and junior Margo Dionisio was named honorable mention for the women's squad.
The 2011-12 Big West honor is the second for both players as Russo was named honorable mention in 2010-11 while Dionisio was also honored with honorable mention accolades following the 2009-10 season.
Russo, who's season will continue at the NCAA Regionals in Greenboro, NC on May 17-19, led the Matador men with a 72.5 stroke average during the regular season. He posted the first two tournament wins of his Northridge career this season taking home individual medalist honors at the St. Mary's Invitational (Sept. 13-14) and the Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational (Feb. 13-14). He was the Matadors' low player in 10 of 12 tournaments and finished with seven top-20 finishes including a ninth-place finish at the Big West Championship.
"Chris had a solid year for us and is certainly deserving of first team honors," said head coach Jim Bracken. "He posted two wins this season which is a great accomplishment. Chris is also a great leader on this team with a great work ethic. He is also supportive of his teammates and never puts himself above the team.
"With the core guys we have returning next year, along with the recruits we have coming in, the leadership of Chris and Matt (Siporin) will make our team competitive not only in the Big West but in the region as well."
Dionisio played in all 11 tournaments and 26 rounds for the Matadors this season compiling a 78.8 stroke average. The junior from Whittier, Calif., had a team-best three top-10 finishes highlighted by a fourth-place showing at the Big West Championship. Dionisio also was the low scorer in all three dual matches with CSU Bakersfield. Her three-year scoring average of 78.47 currently ranks third in Cal State Northridge women's golf history.
"It was great for Margo to finish in the top-five at conference," said head coach Bonnie Murphy. "It will certainly give her confidence heading into the amateur season this summer. I know she was disappointed with her spring season but she poured it on when she needed to and we're super proud of her. Margo will definitely be a key player for us next year and someone the younger players will look up to as we look to challenge for the Big West championship."
2011-12 BIG WEST ALL-CONFERENCE GOLF TEAMS
Demi Runas, UC Davis
Men's Freshman of the Year
Xander Schauffele, Long Beach State
Women's Freshman of the Year
Beverly Vatananugulkit, UC Davis
Mickey Yokoi, Long Beach State
Anne Walker, UC Davis
Men's All-Big West First Team
Mark Anguiano, Cal State Fullerton
Alex Edfort, Pacific
Allan Jun, UC Irvine
Kevin Lim, Long Beach State
Kevin Roy, Long Beach State
Chris Russo, Northridge
Xander Schauffele, Long Beach State
Women's All-Big West First Team
Demi Runas, UC Davis
Beverly Vatananugulkit, UC Davis
Amy Simanton, UC Davis
Jessica Chulya, UC Davis
Lalita Patipaksiri, UC Irvine
Michelle Yang, UC Irvine
Pete Fernandez, UC Irvine
Matt Hansen, UC Davis
Russell Boring, UC Santa Barbara
Kei Kita, UC Santa Barbara
Women's All-Big West Second Team
Tisha Abrea, Cal State Fullerton
Simone Hoey, Long Beach State
Rochelle Chan, Long Beach State
Monica Villarreal, Long Beach State
Michelle Park, UC Irvine
Scott Patterson, Cal Poly
Matt Seramin, UC Davis
Women's All-Big West Honorable Mention
Taylor Fowler, Cal State Fullerton
Amelia Ek, UC Riverside
Blair Lewis, UC Davis
Asia Adell, Cal Poly
Margo Dionisio, Northridge
- GO MATADORS -
Players Mentioned
