Seattle University head golf coach Don Rasmussen has announced that seven student-athletes, five males and two females, have signed National Letters of Intent during the recent early signing period to come to Seattle University and join the golf program beginning in the 2009-10 academic year.
The five male golfers who agreed to join the Seattle University golf program are: Sam Bell of Park City, Utah, Kris Jackson of Snohomish, Wash., Preston Matchett of Billings, Mont., Alec Pakzad of Bellevue, Wash., and Rob Seibly of Spokane, Wash. The women's golf team will welcome the addition of Christine Cook of Yakima, Wash., and Lori Pearson of Seattle, Wash.
Preston Matchett was the 2008 Montana State Class A Champion. He was the team co-captain and finished the season with a scoring average of 74. He was a member of the Junior Americas Cup Team as well as a member of the Montana Alberta Ryder Cup Team where he went 3-0 in his matches.
Rob Seibly was named to the 2008 Second Team All-GSL while playing for Gonzaga Prep. He also holds a ranking of 683 by the Polo Golf Rankings and has been as high as 825 by the Junior Golf Scoreboard.
Christine Cook was named First Team All-League three times at Eisenhower HS. She was twice named the Yakima Valley Golf Player of the Year.
Lori Pearson was a four year letter winner at Bishop Blanchet HS. She was named to the First Team All-Metro in 2007 and finished 18th at the 2008 3A State Tournament.
"This recruiting class is a big boost in moving our golf programs toward being very competitive at the Division I level. I am comfortable putting any of this year's recruits into the lineup immediately," Rasmussen said.
The Seattle University golf program is presently in the first season of its rebirth, as golf was brought back as a varsity sport last year along with tennis and baseball. The golf teams join the rest of the athletic department in Year One of reclassification towards becoming a Division I member of the NCAA.