UW signs new athletes

The UW golf team has signed three new members for next season, according to the athletics department. Taylor Dorans and Gabrielle Gibson will be joining the women’s team, while Ryan Wallen will join the men’s team.

Coming to Wyoming after having an impressive high school career in Erie, Colo. where she lettered all four years, there’s no doubt from Cowgirls Head Coach Josey Stender that Dorans will be quite successful during her time spent at UW.

Dorans is a three-time All-State honoree, earning the honor from her freshmen to junior year. She also is a two-time Northern League MVP. She was named the 2012 Boulder Daily Camera Player of the Year, according to the athletics department.

“Taylor has really transformed her game this past spring and summer and stepped it up to what is going to fit very well at the collegiate level,” Stender said.

“She has a lot of experience at the national level and has proven herself as one of the best prep players in Colorado. She has a great mentality and temperament on the golf course. She has excellent course management and understands her strengths and weaknesses. She’s not the type of player that is going to get in trouble a lot on the course.”

Gibson played for Great Oak High School in California, lettering all four years in golf and track and field. Gibson led her team to a Southwestern League Co-Championship. Individually, as her team’s co-captain, she earned First Team All-League and All-Valley honors, according to the athletics department.

“Gabrielle is a very determined, hard-working athlete that is goal oriented and very mature, plus she is an athletic long hitter so the transition to collegiate golf won’t be hard for her,” Stender said. “Gabrielle has also participated in a number of highly competitive junior events which has positioned her as one of the top players in Southern California.”

Cowboys Head Coach Joe Jensen had no hesitation in welcoming newcomer Wallen to compete with the Cowboys. Lettering three out of the four years he played in high school in Blaine, Wash., he also was named the team’s MVP three consecutive years. The highlight of Wallen’s prep career, according to the athletics department, was a state championship during his sophomore season. He also earned First Team All-Northwest Conference that season.

“Ryan has had terrific high school and junior career thus far in the state of Washington,” Jensen said.

“He has played and beaten some excellent Division I players during his high school career. He is a top three player in the state of Washington and we are fortunate to have a student-athlete like Ryan become part of our program.”