TROY, N.Y. – The Liberty League has announced its year-end awards in women's golf and Mount Holyoke College student-athletes Madi Mendiola and June Conti, along with head coach Tim Walko were all recognized. Mendiola garnered Player of the Year honors, while Conti was the league's Rookie of the Year. Additionally, Walko was named the Liberty League Coach of the Year.
A native of San Diego, Calif., Mendiola was a five-time Liberty League Performer of the Week this season and the ECAC Golfer of the Month for April. She played in eight tournaments this season, recording an average score of 79.88 over 16.0 rounds, which tied her school record mark from a season ago. She finished 13th or better in all eight meets this season, including six tournaments in the top nine. Mendiola's efforts helped the Lyons to a fifth-place ranking in the region and a 42nd overall ranking in Division III.
Among her top performances this season was at the Liberty League Championship, where the Lyons captain finished second overall and just one stroke back from the first-place finisher with a combined score of 161 (81-80). Her efforts not only put her on the All-Liberty League First Team, but also helped the Lyons win their first league championship by a 21-stroke margin (341-331-672).
The former Rancho Bernardo High School standout, who has earned nine Liberty League Performer of the Week honors since the Lyons joined the conference in 2012 played in 16.0 rounds for an average score of 79.88 during the 2012-13 season. That mark was the all-time best in program history. Additionally, she finished eighth or better in six of eight meets and concluded the year ranked eighth in the region and 32nd in Division III.
Conti, a first year from Amenia, N.Y., finished in the top-25 in all eight meets this season, recording an average score of 82.25. She also placed 16th or better in seven events, including three meets in the top-10 finishes. Currently, Conti ranks 27th in the region and is the Liberty League's highest-ranked first year.
A graduate of Miss Porter's School, Conti's top performance also came at the Liberty League Championship, where she was the highest finishing first-year player, earning fourth with a combined score of 168 (87-81). She was also named to All-Liberty League First Team.
Walko, who is in his third year at the helm of Mount Holyoke, guided the Lyons to one of best seasons in program history as his squad ranks fifth regionally and 30th nationally in Division III. The Lyons finished in the top-10 in all eight tournaments, including six in the top five. Walko's team, which featured four first-year players among the top five, won the Liberty League Championship a year after finishing fifth in 2013.
All five of Mount Holyoke's players earned All-Liberty League honors by finishing in the top 10 at the league championship. Walko's team also garnered 12 weekly league honors in 2013-14, which was tops among all Liberty League teams.
