Women’s Golf Adds Three Student-Athletes
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State women’s golf team received National Letters of Intent from three student-athletes for the 2014-15 season, head coach Risë Alexander announced on Monday.
Laura Hoskin from Arrowtown, New Zealand, Haley Nist from Meridian, Idaho and Hannah Swanson from Forest Grove, Ore., signed their letters and will join the Beavers’ golf program next season.
“Oregon State is excited to have a signed three young women to our golf program for the incoming class of 2014,” head coach Risë Alexander said. “All three of these players will vie for a place in the starting lineup when they begin their career here at Oregon State. This may be one of our best overall recruiting classes in my career, and I am looking forward to coaching these players through their collegiate careers at Oregon State.
Nist, who attends Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho, is a four-year letter winner in golf and helped the team win two state titles. She was the 2013 4A Idaho high school individual state champion and a two-time district champion.
She was a member of the 2013 Jr. America’s Cup and 2013 Mary Cave Cup teams, and had a summer scoring average of 75.0 with five rounds of par or better. Her personal best two-day, 36-hole score was a 7-under 139.
Nist chose Oregon State because “when I visited OSU, I loved the team, coach and campus and could see myself learning and continuing my golf career there. It seemed like the right fit and I am very excited to start the next chapter in my life.”
She also ran cross country four years for Bishop Kelly High and maintained a 4.0 GPA to earn the Academic Excellence Award four times. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“Haley Nist, from Meridian, Idaho, is an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Bishop Kelly High School,” Alexander said. “Haley will add a concrete overall game to our program’s depth, both on the course and in the classroom. I have a watched Haley progress through the past several months into an experienced player with serious potential to move the program towards a top-25 ranking. She possesses a solid technical foundation and creative ability necessary to play at this level.”
Swanson, who attends Forest Grove High School, is a four-year letter winner in golf and was named the Oregon Golf Association Player of the Year in 2012. She won the 6A state title in 2013 was part of the Americas Cup team in 2012 and the Canada Cup team in 2012 and 2013.
She chose Oregon State because “it is part of the Pac-12, it’s close to home and I liked the coaches.” Her biggest athletic thrill to date is “winning the 2013 State 6A High School Tournament.”
Swanson also lettered four years in basketball and was a three-year starter. She has a 3.7 GPA and is part of the National Honor Society. Her dad, Greg Swanson, attended Oregon State.
“Along with Haley is the exceptional talent of local Oregonian and high school state champion, Hannah Swanson, who brings an exciting game to the program,” Alexander said. “Hannah is a gritty player who hits the ball a long way and has a great short game to compliment that ability. Hannah wants to win and has the tools to succeed at the Division I’s highest level.”
Hoskin, who attends St. Hilda’s in Dunedin, represented New Zealand in the Trans Tasman Cup against Australia and was selected to the New Zealand team to attend the Australian Youth Olympic Festival where she finished ninth with scores of 74-74-75-71.
She won the South Island under-19 two times and took the title at the Mesa City Junior Girls 15-18 age group in Phoenix in 2013 with scores of 74-73. Hoskin also placed second at the San Diego Junior Masters, qualified for the USGA Junior Girls Championship in 2013 with a winning score of 73 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the California State Championships that were played at Monterey Country Club.
Hoskin chose Oregon State because “it is in the Pac-12 and I will get the opportunity to play against the best college golf players in the USA.” She will join freshman Jesse Hamilton as a fellow New Zealander on the Oregon State women’s golf team.
“Another standout player is New Zealand's Laura Hoskin who will add a level of International experience to the squad,” Alexander said. “Laura has competed at the highest amateur level and will add considerable talent and depth to the squad as a true freshman.”
The Beavers will open their spring season on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the two-day Peg Bernard Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif.