CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Four members of Sun Devil Women's Golf were selected as All-American Scholars, the WGCA announced yesterday.
Senior Olivia Mehaffey, Junior Raquel Olmos, and Sophomores Alexandra Forsterling and Alessandra Fanali were all recognized for their efforts and achievements in the classroom. The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, guidelines that make it one of most prestigious Academic All-American Teams in collegiate athletics. This is the second major academic honor for the group this offseason, as the same four individuals were also named to the Pac-12 Spring Honor Roll earlier in the month.
"We are so proud of our Academic All-Americans," Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked "These young women work as hard in the classroom as they do on the golf course. They continue to be great examples of Sun Devil Women's Golf!"
This is the 15th consecutive year that at least one Sun Devil was named an All-American Scholar. In total, the Arizona State Women's Golf program has had 65 individuals earn the academic distinction since the National Golf Coaches Association established the annual award in 1988, with 20 of those coming since Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye took over prior to the 2015-16 season. ASU has boasted at least three All-American Scholars each year of Farr-Kaye's tenure, including four or more in four of the five years. Despite having one of the smallest teams in the conference, the Sun Devils still tied for the second most All-American Scholar selections in the Pac-12.
Not only is Olivia Mehaffey a four-time All-American on the course, she is now also a four-time All-American Scholar. Mehaffey will receive another year of eligibility thanks to special legislation passed by the NCAA that allowed senior student-athletes from a Spring sport to return for an extra season. As the lone senior and leader of the 2019-20 team, Mehaffey had the Sun Devils in contention for both a Conference and National Championship. She will now return to Tempe attempting to take care of some unfinished business. As an integral part of the Sun Devils winning the 2017 National Championship during her freshman season, Mehaffey possesses the experience and knowledge that it takes to lead a team to the National Title.
The Belfast, Ireland native is already one of the most decorated golfers in the history of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program. Despite this year being cut short, Mehaffey still managed to reach several career milestones in the process. She finished second at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge and sixth at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, pushing her career Top-10 finishes total to 20. Not only did she have 20 Top-10 finishes, she also carded 20 rounds in the 60s in her career, one of the Top-25 totals in NCAA history. Her 11 rounds at or under par this season give her 65 in her career, putting her in the Top-10 in NCAA record book. Mehaffey's 72.74 stroke average also puts her in the NCAA's Top-25 all-time. She has the opportunity to add to these totals and move up in the NCAA career record book during her fifth and final season of eligibility.
Raquel Olmos earns WGCA All-American Scholar status for the first time in her career. The junior has been a mainstay in the Sun Devil lineup over the past three seasons and once again proved why by putting together an excellent junior season. Olmos recorded three Top-10 finishes, highlighted by a fifth-place effort (-3/210) at the Stanford Intercollegiate, playing a major role in helping the Sun Devils claim their first Team Championship of the season. She was playing some of her best golf towards the end of the season, as evidenced by a fifth place at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in the final tournament of the season. Arizona State also took home their second Team Title, in large part to the performance of Olmos. In the team's first visit to Hawaii in the Fall, she was the highest finishing Sun Devil at the Pac-12 Preview (-5/214), placing sixth overall. Olmos started her Spring off strong, placing in the Top-10 at the Duel in the Desert while helping Arizona State defeat Denver and No. 16 UCLA. She finished with three rounds in the 60s and five rounds under par.
Alessandra Fanali emerged as a reliable and consistent piece of the Sun Devil lineup, a big reason why the Sun Devils were able to finish at No. 3 in the national polls. She was tabbed by Golfweek as a Third-Team All-American after a breakout sophomore year. The WGCA selected as an Academic All-American Scholar while also recognizing her an Honorable Mention All-American, one of three Sun Devils to be named to two different All-American teams.
Her five Top-20 finishes on the season reflect her consistent play, which was highlighted by her second career Top-10 performance. Like Olmos, Fanali was getting stronger at the end of the season, earning a tie for sixth place at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, the final tournament of 2020. She was the Individual Champion of the Duel in the Desert (-4/68), helping lead the Sun Devils to victory over Denver and No. 16 UCLA while beating out 20 other golfers for the top spot. She enjoyed an incredible start to the season, recording her first collegiate hole-in-one on the par-three 15th hole at the Royal Golf Club (Lake Elmo, MN) in the first round of the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. The fast start led to back-to-back Top-15 finishes to kick-off 2019-20, a sign of the breakout sophomore season that was to come.
For the second consecutive season, Alexandra Forsterling is a WGCA All-American Scholar. The sophomore has made a seamless transition to Arizona State on the course and in the classroom. Forsterling showed improvement during her second season in Tempe, competing in six of the eight events for the Sun Devils. She recorded back-to-back Top-20 finishes to start her season off on the right foot. Forsterling shot her fifth-career round in the 60s in the second round of the ANNIKA Intercollegiate, eventually posting her second-highest career finish (T-11th). She put together three strong rounds at the Windy City Collegiate, earning another Top-20 finish. Forsterling finished in a tie for eight at the Duel in the Desert, helping lead the Sun Devils to victory over Denver and No. 16 UCLA.
A loaded roster next season should have Sun Devil Golf fans excited, as every member of the 2019-20 team returns to Tempe. Once incoming freshmen Ashley Menne and Breyana Matthews are added to the fold, the Sun Devils will boast one of the most talented and deep rosters in the country. With three-time National Champion Missy Farr-Kaye and newly-appointed Associated Head Coach Michelle Estill at the helm, the team has the leadership that it takes to succeed at the highest level.
All-Time Sun Devil All-American Scholars (65)
2020: Olivia Mehaffey (WGCA), Raquel Olmos (WGCA), Alexandra Forsterling (WGCA), Alessandra Fanali (WGCA)
2019: Sofia Anokhina (WGCA), Olivia Mehaffey (WGCA), Alexandra Forsterling (WGCA)
2018: Madison Kerley (WGCA), Olivia Mehaffey (WGCA), Sophia Zeeb (WGCA), Roberta Liti (WGCA)
2017: Roberta Liti (WGCA), Monica Vaughn (WGCA), Madison Kerley (WGCA), Olivia Mehaffey (WGCA), Sophia Zeeb (WGCA)
2016: Monica Vaughn (NGCA), Sophia Zeeb (NGCA), Roberta Liti (NGCA), Madison Kerley (NGCA)
2015: Noemi Jimenez (NGCA), Emilie Alonso (NGCA), Monica Vaughn (NGCA), Roberta Liti (NGCA), Sophia Zeeb (NGCA), Ashleigh Greenham (NGCA)
2014: Daniela Ordonez (NGCA), Emilie Alonso (NGCA), Justine Lee (NGCA), Monica Vaughn (NGCA), Noemi Jimenez (NGCA)
2013: Noemi Jimenez (NGCA), Daniela Ordonez (NGCA), Justine Lee (NGCA), Emilie Alonso (NGCA)
2012: Giulia Molinaro (NGCA), Daniela Ordonez (NGCA), Justine Lee (NGCA), Noemi Jimenez (NGCA)
2011: Giulia Molinaro (NGCA), Carlota Ciganda (NGCA)
2010: Carlota Ciganda (ESPN The Magazine)
2009: Azahara Munoz (NGCA & ESPN The Magazine), Juliana Murcia (ESPN The Magazine)
2008: Azahara Munoz (NGCA & ESPN the Magazine), Juliana Murcia (NGCA), Anna Nordqvist (NGCA)
2007: Azahara Munoz (NGCA), Anna Nordqvist (NGCA)
2006: Azahara Munoz (NGCA)
2004: Erin Tone (NGCA)
2003: Erin Tone (NGCA), Gaëlle Truet (NGCA)
2002: Erin Tone (NGCA), Gaëlle Truet (NGCA)
1999: Keri Cornelius (NGCA)
1998: Kellee Booth (GTE, first; NGCA), Jeanne-Marie Busuttil (NGCA), Keri Cornelius (NGCA)
1997: Kellee Booth (GTE, first)
1996: Kellee Booth (GTE, second)
1995: Wendy Ward (GTE, third)
1993: Ulrika von Heijne (NGCA)
1991: Tricia Konz (NGCA)
1988: Pam Wright (NGCA)
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).
Senior Olivia Mehaffey, Junior Raquel Olmos, and Sophomores Alexandra Forsterling and Alessandra Fanali were all recognized for their efforts and achievements in the classroom. The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, guidelines that make it one of most prestigious Academic All-American Teams in collegiate athletics. This is the second major academic honor for the group this offseason, as the same four individuals were also named to the Pac-12 Spring Honor Roll earlier in the month.
"We are so proud of our Academic All-Americans," Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked "These young women work as hard in the classroom as they do on the golf course. They continue to be great examples of Sun Devil Women's Golf!"
This is the 15th consecutive year that at least one Sun Devil was named an All-American Scholar. In total, the Arizona State Women's Golf program has had 65 individuals earn the academic distinction since the National Golf Coaches Association established the annual award in 1988, with 20 of those coming since Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye took over prior to the 2015-16 season. ASU has boasted at least three All-American Scholars each year of Farr-Kaye's tenure, including four or more in four of the five years. Despite having one of the smallest teams in the conference, the Sun Devils still tied for the second most All-American Scholar selections in the Pac-12.
Not only is Olivia Mehaffey a four-time All-American on the course, she is now also a four-time All-American Scholar. Mehaffey will receive another year of eligibility thanks to special legislation passed by the NCAA that allowed senior student-athletes from a Spring sport to return for an extra season. As the lone senior and leader of the 2019-20 team, Mehaffey had the Sun Devils in contention for both a Conference and National Championship. She will now return to Tempe attempting to take care of some unfinished business. As an integral part of the Sun Devils winning the 2017 National Championship during her freshman season, Mehaffey possesses the experience and knowledge that it takes to lead a team to the National Title.
The Belfast, Ireland native is already one of the most decorated golfers in the history of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program. Despite this year being cut short, Mehaffey still managed to reach several career milestones in the process. She finished second at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge and sixth at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, pushing her career Top-10 finishes total to 20. Not only did she have 20 Top-10 finishes, she also carded 20 rounds in the 60s in her career, one of the Top-25 totals in NCAA history. Her 11 rounds at or under par this season give her 65 in her career, putting her in the Top-10 in NCAA record book. Mehaffey's 72.74 stroke average also puts her in the NCAA's Top-25 all-time. She has the opportunity to add to these totals and move up in the NCAA career record book during her fifth and final season of eligibility.
Raquel Olmos earns WGCA All-American Scholar status for the first time in her career. The junior has been a mainstay in the Sun Devil lineup over the past three seasons and once again proved why by putting together an excellent junior season. Olmos recorded three Top-10 finishes, highlighted by a fifth-place effort (-3/210) at the Stanford Intercollegiate, playing a major role in helping the Sun Devils claim their first Team Championship of the season. She was playing some of her best golf towards the end of the season, as evidenced by a fifth place at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational in the final tournament of the season. Arizona State also took home their second Team Title, in large part to the performance of Olmos. In the team's first visit to Hawaii in the Fall, she was the highest finishing Sun Devil at the Pac-12 Preview (-5/214), placing sixth overall. Olmos started her Spring off strong, placing in the Top-10 at the Duel in the Desert while helping Arizona State defeat Denver and No. 16 UCLA. She finished with three rounds in the 60s and five rounds under par.
Alessandra Fanali emerged as a reliable and consistent piece of the Sun Devil lineup, a big reason why the Sun Devils were able to finish at No. 3 in the national polls. She was tabbed by Golfweek as a Third-Team All-American after a breakout sophomore year. The WGCA selected as an Academic All-American Scholar while also recognizing her an Honorable Mention All-American, one of three Sun Devils to be named to two different All-American teams.
Her five Top-20 finishes on the season reflect her consistent play, which was highlighted by her second career Top-10 performance. Like Olmos, Fanali was getting stronger at the end of the season, earning a tie for sixth place at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, the final tournament of 2020. She was the Individual Champion of the Duel in the Desert (-4/68), helping lead the Sun Devils to victory over Denver and No. 16 UCLA while beating out 20 other golfers for the top spot. She enjoyed an incredible start to the season, recording her first collegiate hole-in-one on the par-three 15th hole at the Royal Golf Club (Lake Elmo, MN) in the first round of the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. The fast start led to back-to-back Top-15 finishes to kick-off 2019-20, a sign of the breakout sophomore season that was to come.
For the second consecutive season, Alexandra Forsterling is a WGCA All-American Scholar. The sophomore has made a seamless transition to Arizona State on the course and in the classroom. Forsterling showed improvement during her second season in Tempe, competing in six of the eight events for the Sun Devils. She recorded back-to-back Top-20 finishes to start her season off on the right foot. Forsterling shot her fifth-career round in the 60s in the second round of the ANNIKA Intercollegiate, eventually posting her second-highest career finish (T-11th). She put together three strong rounds at the Windy City Collegiate, earning another Top-20 finish. Forsterling finished in a tie for eight at the Duel in the Desert, helping lead the Sun Devils to victory over Denver and No. 16 UCLA.
A loaded roster next season should have Sun Devil Golf fans excited, as every member of the 2019-20 team returns to Tempe. Once incoming freshmen Ashley Menne and Breyana Matthews are added to the fold, the Sun Devils will boast one of the most talented and deep rosters in the country. With three-time National Champion Missy Farr-Kaye and newly-appointed Associated Head Coach Michelle Estill at the helm, the team has the leadership that it takes to succeed at the highest level.
All-Time Sun Devil All-American Scholars (65)
2020: Olivia Mehaffey (WGCA), Raquel Olmos (WGCA), Alexandra Forsterling (WGCA), Alessandra Fanali (WGCA)
2019: Sofia Anokhina (WGCA), Olivia Mehaffey (WGCA), Alexandra Forsterling (WGCA)
2018: Madison Kerley (WGCA), Olivia Mehaffey (WGCA), Sophia Zeeb (WGCA), Roberta Liti (WGCA)
2017: Roberta Liti (WGCA), Monica Vaughn (WGCA), Madison Kerley (WGCA), Olivia Mehaffey (WGCA), Sophia Zeeb (WGCA)
2016: Monica Vaughn (NGCA), Sophia Zeeb (NGCA), Roberta Liti (NGCA), Madison Kerley (NGCA)
2015: Noemi Jimenez (NGCA), Emilie Alonso (NGCA), Monica Vaughn (NGCA), Roberta Liti (NGCA), Sophia Zeeb (NGCA), Ashleigh Greenham (NGCA)
2014: Daniela Ordonez (NGCA), Emilie Alonso (NGCA), Justine Lee (NGCA), Monica Vaughn (NGCA), Noemi Jimenez (NGCA)
2013: Noemi Jimenez (NGCA), Daniela Ordonez (NGCA), Justine Lee (NGCA), Emilie Alonso (NGCA)
2012: Giulia Molinaro (NGCA), Daniela Ordonez (NGCA), Justine Lee (NGCA), Noemi Jimenez (NGCA)
2011: Giulia Molinaro (NGCA), Carlota Ciganda (NGCA)
2010: Carlota Ciganda (ESPN The Magazine)
2009: Azahara Munoz (NGCA & ESPN The Magazine), Juliana Murcia (ESPN The Magazine)
2008: Azahara Munoz (NGCA & ESPN the Magazine), Juliana Murcia (NGCA), Anna Nordqvist (NGCA)
2007: Azahara Munoz (NGCA), Anna Nordqvist (NGCA)
2006: Azahara Munoz (NGCA)
2004: Erin Tone (NGCA)
2003: Erin Tone (NGCA), Gaëlle Truet (NGCA)
2002: Erin Tone (NGCA), Gaëlle Truet (NGCA)
1999: Keri Cornelius (NGCA)
1998: Kellee Booth (GTE, first; NGCA), Jeanne-Marie Busuttil (NGCA), Keri Cornelius (NGCA)
1997: Kellee Booth (GTE, first)
1996: Kellee Booth (GTE, second)
1995: Wendy Ward (GTE, third)
1993: Ulrika von Heijne (NGCA)
1991: Tricia Konz (NGCA)
1988: Pam Wright (NGCA)
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).