The University of New Mexico's women's golf team swings into their 2002-03 season this weekend, as they host the 24th annual Comcast/Dick McGuire Invitational at the UNM Championship Golf Course.
The Lobos will attempt to defend their team title, which they won at last year's tournament.
After the first day of competition, UNM finds itself atop the leader board.
The tournament started Thursday morning and the Lobos shot their way to a one-shot lead over New Mexico State University. UNM combined to shoot a 297 and was lead by sophomore Shannon Johnson's one-under 72. Fellow sophomore Kailin Downs was not far behind shooting a 73.
Defending the title will be a tough task because this year's field is loaded with talented teams. Eight of the 19 teams in the field are ranked in the Top 25, including 5th-ranked Pepperdine University and 7th-ranked University of Texas.
Sixth-year head coach Jackie Booth has high expectations for her team this year including a fourth Mountai West Conderence title as well as a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
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"We are looking to repeat as champions at our invitational this weekend," Booth said. "And as for the rest of the season, we want to finish in the top five in every tournament we enter."
The Lobos are coming off a superb year led by junior Kristi Larson. UNM returns four out of five members from the team that brought home the Mountain West Conference Championship trophy last Spring -- Larson, Downs, junior Katrina Leckovic and Johnson. The Lobos also return junior Kellyn Newman and sophomore Christina Spence, who both saw limited action last year. With a fresh start, Newman and Spence hope to contribute in a big way.
The newcomer to the group is freshman Kelli Van Winkle of Roswell, New Mexico.
If her high school credentials are any indication of her talent, then look out. The freshman was the class 4A individual champion of New Mexico in 2002. Her school, Roswell Goddard High School, won the 4A Champions all four years she competed
"Van Winkle already had leadership skills and she is learning quickly," Booth said. "She is following her teammates lead and she is ready to compete."
Larson looks to lead this group of young and talented golfers into the fall season. Last year, as a sophomore, Larson shattered the UNM individual scoring record with a stroke average of 74.9, beating Sue Sanders' old scoring average of 76.2 in 1981-82. Larson was the lone Lobo from the team to qualify for last year's NCAA Women's Golf Championships and was ranked 79th in the nation out of 800 collegiate golfers at season's end.
Due to injury, Larson will miss this weekend's tournament and possibly the next tournament in Las Cruces after chipping a bone in her hand. She will be out two to three weeks.
The team will look to Downs, it's other on-course leader, to lead the way. The sophomore is coming off a superb freshman year where she established herself one of the Lobos' best players as well as one of the elite freshman in the nation.
Downs earned numerous individual awards throughout last season and contributed to the team winning three tournaments. She ended the season ranked 81st individually in the nation, two spots below Larson.
Downs and the Lobos will have to make up for the absence of Larson this weekend.
The Lobos continue play on Friday with an 8 a.m. tee time. The tournament concludes on Saturday with an 8 a.m. start.
