Texas State's Jonsdottir, Puisite off to fast start

Courtesy of Texas State Athletics

Texas State's Krista Puisite

Women's Rankings »

Rank	Name	School	Rating
1	Annie Park	USC	69.91
2	Stephanie Meadow	Alabama	69.92
3	Mariah Stackhouse	Stanford	70.62
4	Kelsey Vines	Okla. St.	70.68
5	Lindy Duncan	Duke	70.81

Women's Team Rankings »

Rank	Name	Rating	Events
1	Southern California	71.09	10
2	Alabama	71.45	10
3	Duke	71.65	10
4	Oklahoma	72.01	10
5	Arkansas	72.27	10

In two starts this fall, two Texas State women's players have won individual medalist honors. It’s just one of many signs that suggest this team could be one to watch this year.

Of course, that’s after the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship passes. Until then, the practice range could be pretty bare. Head coach Mike Akers loses four players to the prestigious competition, to be played Sept. 27-30 at Gloria Golf Club in Antalya, Turkey, but that’s exactly the kind of scenario a coach wants. Akers has been known to recruit top international players.

“I always try to recruit on their national team,” Akers said.

Texas State won its season opener at the Chris Banister Gamecock Classic as Valdis Jonsdottir tied for individual honors, and finished fourth as a team at the Mary Fossum Invitational on Sept. 16, where Krista Puisite won medalist honors. The Bobcats won’t make another appearance until mid-October at the Oklahoma Invitational. In the meantime, Jonsdottir will travel to Turkey for Iceland, Puisite and sister Mara will play for Latvia and Iman Nordin will play for Malaysia.

Puisite and Jonsdottir, at least, should arrive in Turkey in fine form. Senior Jonsdottir returned to Akers’ squad after having a chat with her coach at the end of last season. The two talked about how Jonsdottir could make the most of her last season in Texas.

“She went home and worked hard over the summer,” Akers said of a player who was set back during her sophomore season with a broken leg.

Puisite, a reliable senior scorer for Texas State, claimed the second title of her college career at the Mary Fossum Invitational.

Akers thinks this team has just began to realize its potential.

“I really think that Lejan and Iman could win tournaments as well,” he said. “I have four girls that could win tournaments.”