Wang Named Big Ten Golfer of the Year

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Crystal Wang was named Big Ten Golfer of the year, as well as All-Big Ten First Team, the conference announced today.

Wang shot a record-low final round 62 to earn medalist honors at the Big Ten Championships, held April 21-23 at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh. She won the individual title by 12 strokes as the only player to finish under par. She was also named the Mary Fossum Award winner, posting the lowest stroke average relative to par (-1.45) for the season. She is the first Illinois golfer to be named Big Ten Golfer of the Year since Renee Heiken won the award in consecutive years (1992-93).

The Diamond Bar, Calif., native also earned All-Big Ten First Team honors for the second-straight year and for the third time overall in her career. Wang has finished in the Top 10 in eight off 11 tournaments this season, including six Top 5 finishes. She was won two of her last three tournaments overall, capturing her first-career victory at the Clemson Invitational on March 26. Wang is currently posting a scoring average of 70.09 this season and has fired 15 of her 33 rounds under 70 strokes.

Wang and the Fighting Illini will be back in action on May 8 for NCAA regional play. The Orange and Blue will discover their destination today, April 26, during the NCAA Regional Selection Show at 12:00 p.m. CT on Golf Channel.