Sports Briefs

CSU senior named MWC golfer of month for October/November

After putting together a string of successful tournaments during

the fall season, CSU senior golfer Martin Laird received the

Mountain West Conference’s adulation. Wednesday the conference

named Laird the player of the month for October and November after

the senior compiled one of the greatest single seasons in school

history. Competing in six tournaments this fall, Martin finished in

the top seven in five of them. He won two tournaments during the

fall: the Fresno “Lexus” Classic and the Ron Moore Invitational

tournaments, making him one of only three players in CSU history to

win two tournaments in a single season.

Swim team splits for two meets

Part of CSU’s swimming and diving team left Wednesday for Long

Beach, Calif., to compete in the Speedo Cup Invitational. The meet

begins today and concludes Friday. Another section of the team,

meanwhile, will stay in town to host a dual meet with Northern

Colorado on Friday at Moby Pool.

Ram softball signs two

CSU head softball coach Mary Yori announced Wednesday the

signing of two student athletes to National Letters of Intent.

Lauren Cusick, a third baseman from South Salem High School in

Salem, Ore., was named the Valley League Co-Player of the Year in

2003 – her junior season. She will finish her senior year of

competition this spring.

“Lauren is a very strong hitter and has good versatility at all

the infield positions,” Yori said in a press release. “We are

looking forward to what she accomplishes in her last year of high

school before joining the Rams.”

Julia Kloppe, a first baseman from Rocky Mountain High School,

is the other recruit to sign. Kloppe is a three-time All-State

selection and was named the 2003 Rocky Mountain News All-Colorado

Player of the Year.

“Julia is a great hitter and a solid first baseman,” Yori said.

“Both girls are heady, athletic players with great softball

instincts.”

Both Cusick and Kloppe will enroll at CSU for the fall 2004

semester.