Waite, Avery Claim Top Honors As Big West Announces All-Conference Teams

Waite, Avery Claim Top Honors As Big West Announces All-Conference Teams

4/23/2024 2:01:00 PM | Women's Golf

Alyssa Waite was once again chosen as Coach of the Year as the Beach had the Big West Freshman of the Year for the second straight season.

By: Roger Kirk, Associate Athletics Director, Communications & Broadcast

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Women's Golf Head Coach Alyssa Waite was named the Big West Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year and Andee Avery became Long Beach State's second straight Big West Freshman of the Year, highlighting five honorees as the conference announced their postseason winners on Tuesday.

                Waite was named the Big West Coach of the Year for the second straight season in recognition of her efforts in leading the Beach who claimed the 2024 Big West Championship, one of a program-record three team tournament victories over the course of the season. Waite's honor makes her the second two-time winner of the award in program history and just the fifth recipient.

                All five of Long Beach State's members of the lineup for that Big West Championship received recognition across the postseason teams in 2024, including three of the six golfers recognized as first team.

                Freshman Andee Avery was named the Big West Freshman of the Year in addition to earning First Team honors after a fantastic first campaign. Finishing in the Top 10 in four separate tournaments including a podium finish at the Big West Championship, Avery had a low round of 67 to close out the regular season and was the individual winner at the CSUN/CSUB/LBSU tri-dual in January with a 3-under par 69 at Soule Park Golf Club.    Avery is the sixth Big West Freshman of the Year from Long Beach State, and the second consecutive winner after Jasmine Leovao won the award in 2023.

                The two-time Big West Individual Champion, Jasmine Leovao was also selected as a first-team selection for the second straight season. Consistently a top performer, Jasmine has saved her best for the biggest moments, closing out the year with a win last season to advance to the NCAAs last season and then coming out on top at the Big West again in 2024, leading wire-to-wire and finishing as the only golfer under par, 4-under over 54 holes this season to claim the championship for the second straight year.

                Twin sister Janae Leovao also earned first-team honors after earning second team honors as a freshman in 2023. A top 10 finisher in five tournaments during the 2024 season, Janae was the top finisher for Long Beach State in both of their team wins in the fall, placing second at the Golf Iconic Classic and tired for third at The Clash at Boulder Creek. Janae closed out the regular finish by sharing third place at the Big West Championship with Avery.

                Madison Le earned second-team honors after a strong sophomore season. Le was a Top 10 finisher at the Golf Iconic Classic in the fall to help the Beach take the win in New Mexico, and had another Top 10 finish as an individual at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, shooting 6-under par from Kaua'i. Le also finished in the Top 10 at the Big West Championship, finishing in a tie for 8th place overall.

                Bookending her career with All-Big West selections, senior Angelina Kim was an honorable mention selection for the second time. Kim had a Top 10 finish at the Silicon Valley Showcase as the top golfer from LBSU at that tournament, and was a consistent face in the lineup all season, competing in every event for Long Beach State as a veteran leader.

                Long Beach State as winners of the Big West Championship earned an automatic entry into the upcoming NCAA Regionals, reaching the postseason as a team for the fifth time in program history. The Beach will find out their postseason destination during the upcoming NCAA selection show, which will air live on the Golf Channel at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24.