Current West Salem High School senior Katie Baker becomes the first member of the Titans' golf team to sign to compete at a four-year university in school history.
Corban's Sisler Inks Quintet for 2010-11 Season
SALEM, Ore. – Fifth-year head coach Ron Sisler announced Wednesday that he has signed five golfers to Letters of Intent for the 2010-11 season, including a trio of local talent from the Salem area.
This season's recruiting class includes one male and four female golfers.
The men will get the addition of Southwestern Oregon Community College transfer Joey Ziogas (Salem, Ore.), who will bring two years of college experience to the University.
On the women's side, four high school seniors – Katie Baker (Salem, Ore.) from West Salem High School, Alison Evans (Canby, Ore.) from Canby High School, Caley Hubert (Gresham, Ore.) from Gresham High School, and Taylor Tuepker (Keizer, Ore.) from Santiam Christian High School – will be added to a young group of female players next year that should make a run at the conference title.
"I am very pleased with the group of kids that we have coming in next year," said Sisler. "The four girls all competed well this season at the high school level, while Joey will bring some collegiate experience and be a nice addition to our men's squad that should challenge for the program's first-ever conference title and potentially a national tournament bid in 2011."
Ziogas, who graduated from nearby North Salem High School in 2008, played two seasons for the Lakers of Southwestern Oregon Community College. The 5-foot-11 Ziogas appeared in seven tournament as a sophomore for the Lakers averaging 80.0 strokes per round. At the Columbia Basin Invitational, Ziogas registered a season-high finish with a 17th place showing. One week later, Ziogas shot a season-low 1-over 73 in the final round of the Wenatchee League Match to finish in a two-way tie for 32nd overall.
In high school, Ziogas qualified for the 2008 6A state tournament as a senior at North Salem and finished tied for 26th overall after carding a two-day total of 10-over 154 (79-75). Ziogas earned all-league and all-regional honors in his final season at North Salem, while being named the team's Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior.
Baker, a four-year player at nearby West Salem High School, helped lead the Titans to a seventh place finish in the state at the 6A level this season. As the first player in school history to sign with a four-year university, Baker finished tied for 45th individually thanks to a 36-hole score of 47-over 191 (98-93) as a senior.
As a junior, Baker helped lead West Salem to a 13th place finish overall as a team and finished in a three-way tie for 69th individually after posting a two-day total of 56-over 200 (101-99).
During her prep career, Baker earned 2nd team All-Central Valley Conference honors as a junior and senior and also captured the Coaches' Award as a freshman in 2007. Baker's father, Sam, is currently an Associate Professor in the Ministry Department at Corban.
Evans, a one-year player from Canby High School, was a member of the Cougars' fourth place finishing team at this year's 6A state tournament. Unfortunately, Evans was not part of the five-player squad that competed at the state championship tournament.
Upon arrival at the University, Evans will be the lone member of the women's golf team that will be pulling double duty as a member of Corban's women's basketball team as well. On the court, Evans earned all-league honorable mention as a senior for Canby in helping lead the Cougars to the opening round of the 6A state tournament.
Hubert, a four-year player from Gresham High School, was the lone Gopher to qualify for the 2010 6A state tournament finishing 49th overall with a 36-hole score of 49-over 193 (91-102). At this year's Mt. Hood Conference Championships, Hubert was one of three players to qualify for the state tournament as an individual.
Coming to Corban, Hubert will be the lone player to have been a high school teammate of a former Warrior having teed it up beside Liz Sherwin (2007) during her freshman and sophomore seasons at Gresham.
Tuepker, a three-year player at nearby Santiam Christian High School in Corvallis, was the lone member of the Eagles' girls' team to qualify for the 4A/3A/2A/1A state tournament as a senior finishing tied for 31st overall with a two-day score of 51-over 195 (93-102).
As a senior, Tuepker finished second twice during the season with a runner-up finish in a tournament that was held at Agate Beach as well as a second place showing at a nine-hole event at Cross Creek in Dallas.
Corban is slated to begin its 2010-11 season at the season-opening Cascade Collegiate Conference event – the Concordia Invitational – to be played at Meadow Lakes Golf Course in Prineville on September 13th and 14th.