May 18, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Sophomore Samantha Trask was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the second straight year, one of many awards handed out at the Santa Clara University women's golf annual banquet Saturday evening in the University Suite at the Leavey Center.
Fifth-year head coach Polly Schulze hosted the affair, set to honor the team and to thank the Bronco parents and supporters for a memorable season, which included a third-place finish at the West Coast Conference Championship.
"I thought tonight's venue is fitting, as I want to remind everybody how committed Santa Clara is to moving forward and becoming more competitive on a national scale," Schulze described. "It's a great time to be a Bronco, with the dedication of the athletic department to the student-athletes and to creating new pride in SCU Athletics.
"When I first came to SCU five years ago, my office was in a trailer outside," she continued. "After two years, I was able to move inside and shared a small space with the men's golf coach. Then for the last two years I have been in a beautiful new office that I am proud to come to every day.
"This progression is not unlike the progression of the women's golf program. Five years ago we were barely able to field a team let alone compete. Now here we are legitimately competing for a conference championship, producing First Team All-Conference players, experiencing team and individual tournament wins, receiving community service awards and thriving with a roster of 11 players. The program has kept pace with the strides of the entire athletic department in its quest for national acclaim. As a coach, it gives me so much pride to see where we are when I reflect on where we've come from."
Trask led the Broncos in scoring average, and won her first tournament as an individual, at the Cal Poly Invitational. She placed 10th at the West Coast Conference Championship to close the season, and earned All-League honors.
"Samantha is such a solid player for us and has truly raised the bar for the entire team," Schulze said.
Senior Courtney Dimpel-Composti received both the Most Inspirational and Bronco Pride awards. Although her spring season was cut short after suffering a back injury during winter break, Dimpel-Composti remained the team's emotional leader, supporting the team with her Bronco pride.
Freshman Jennifer Sun was honored with the Coach's Award, for her optimistic and steadfast attitude in the face of adversity.
The team enjoyed a pasta dinner prepared by freshman Jenny Nelson's mother, Mavis. The evening began and ended with a video highlight reel put together by Nelson's father, Steve.
"Little did I know that he was planning this when I saw him filming at each event," Schulze said. "I'm so grateful to have this video of the team; it's a wonderful memento of the year."
The squad also named a captain for the 2005-06 season, Candice Palmer. Schulze said Palmer is one of the team's most consistent performers and will elevate her game and become a strong team leader with this new role.
