“I’ve worked so hard this season to be the best I can be and it’s good to know it’s really paid off,” Stacey Blunt said about earning his week’s honorary women’s golf student athlete.
“When I received this honor, I felt a lot of excitement and contentment.”
Blunt left an impressive impact during her high school years in Federal Way, Wash. before coming to Laramie. She was a three-year letter winner in golf at Aviation High School, along with a team captain for three years. She was also named the Central Division Player of the Year in 2007-09.
Blunt’s team finished fifth in the Washington Class 4A golf championships two years straight. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the all-academic team three straight years.
After having to make the choice where she would continue her golf career, Blunt was set on wearing brown and gold to play as a Cowgirl.
“I always knew I wanted to get away from my hometown when it came to playing golf at a collegiate level. The University of Wyoming was the perfect choice for me because I loved the small town setting and all the aspects UW offered. Plus it’s really given me a chance to become the best player I can where as other schools might not have offered as much room to grow and learn,” Blunt said.
Since coming to UW, Blunt has concentrated heavily on her studies as well as athletics. Majoring in finance, she is consumed in her schoolwork while still maintaining her role as a standout athlete.
“It is really tough to be an athlete and to be a student. A lot of the classes I’m taking this semester don’t really allow a lot of time to miss which makes time management between playing golf and studying incredibly difficult. It’s all about finding balance, which like anything, takes practice.”
With her junior year almost in the books, Blunt played in all four of UW’s tournaments during the fall season. Her best performance was a 241 (+22) at the UNM Dick McGuire Invitational to finish third on the team, including a season-low 77 (+4) during the first round. Blunt also finished third for the Cowgirls at the Rose City Collegiate with a 240 (+24).
She also is a two-time Academic Mountain West Conference member, and is currently in the position to receive the honor yet again.
”I am so happy that I chose to play as a Cowgirl,” Blunt said. “I really love my team and my coaching staff. You could say they’re practically my second family.”
“It’s always hard to make the transition into our spring season once we start playing outside again after the time taken off for the winter months. But because our team chemistry is strong, it’s easy for us to pick each other up and help each other get back on track.”
Blunt is looking to finish out the spring season competing in the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic in Chandler, Ariz. April 8-10, followed by the Fresno State Lexus Classic in Fresno, Calif. April 15-16. The team will then compete in the MWC Championship tournament in Rancho Mirage, Calif. on April 25-27.
Having had so much success during her time spent here at the university, Blunt can offer advice to those fellow student athletes who aspire to reach the many different achievements she has earned.
“Make sure you go somewhere where you are able to get along with your team. If you don’t like the people you spend a majority of your days with, you’ll always be miserable,” Blunt said. “Also, be sure to play for a team you can believe in and for a coach who inspires you. Realize that you have to delegate your schedule and prioritize accordingly even if it means having to sacrifice some of your free time.”
