Keith Kountz / Fresno State Athletic Media Relations

Lone senior looks to lead team to second-straight WAC title

In an athlete̢۪s career, certain achievements can be celebrated with many people, while others cannot be shared with anyone at all.

Taylor Siebert knows all too well how that plays out, as she is one of the Bulldogs̢۪ top performers and only senior on the women̢۪s golf team.

“It could be strange at times,â€Â Siebert said. “I will be playing at a certain place for the last time and no one will be able to relate emotionally what it feels like.â€Â

Being the only senior on the team can be tough, but Siebert said sharing the title of co-captain on the team with junior Pia Escandon helps to balance the amount of leadership she has to provide to the team.

“It could be tough because I want to concentrate and do good individually, but at the same time inspire and help lead the team,â€Â Siebert said. “However, I could flip that burden to Pia at times which definitely helps.â€Â

Before becoming a Bulldog, Siebert played numerous sports in her hometown of Selma. She was unsure about what sport she wanted to focus on until her junior year in high school.

“Golf was not only my favorite sport but a realistic choice,â€Â Siebert said. “It was the only sport I could play in college and I knew junior year I had to focus on one.â€Â

Siebert said she attributes her success to her family.

“My dad was my coach and my mom was always there to support me,â€Â Siebert said. “My dad saw my potential and pushed me in a positive way, and not like crazy dad status.â€Â

Along with many people around the world, Siebert said her favorite athlete is Tiger Woods. She is thankful for what Woods has done for golf.

“Growing up, I used to be embarrassed to play golf, because it wasn’t one of the mainstream sports. Once Tiger came along and transcended the sport of golf, I was no longer embarrassed to say I play,â€Â Siebert said.

Coming out of high school, Siebert was recruited by Cal and Virginia as well as Fresno State. Siebert limited her choices down to the Bulldogs and Virginia.

“In the end, I decided to become a Bulldog, because the team was a good fit for me. I like the California lifestyle and Virginia was too far to move to at the age of 18,â€Â Siebert said.

Siebert has made the most of her time as a Bulldog. In her first three years at Fresno State, Siebert has averaged roughly 77 strokes per round.

She has earned the team̢۪s Top Dog Award, and had the best finish for the team at the NCAA Division I Regional last season.

In addition, Fresno State and the WAC have recognized Siebert̢۪s hard work in the classroom as well as with scholar-athlete awards. However, her most rewarding moment as an athlete came last year when she won at the Kitahara Fresno State Invitational, where she birdied the 18th hole to break a four-way tie to clinch the title.

“As an athlete, I feel like you wonder all your life if you’re going to achieve what you want, and it all came true winning the tournament at home,â€Â Siebert said.

Keith Kountz / Fresno State Athletic Media Relations

Siebert was also a big reason the Bulldogs won the WAC last year, even while many people felt they had no business doing it.

“I felt like people thought we were a dark horse to win last year,â€Â Siebert said. “San Jose State was the favorite, but I knew if we put it all together we could pull it off.â€Â

Siebert̢۪s Bulldog career is close to ending and she says she will miss a piece of golf that many sports can̢۪t offer.

“I love the team aspect of golf, but at the same time competing as an individual,â€Â Siebert said. “The great thing about golf is that when you do good you get the praise, and when you don’t perform well, you have no one else to blame but yourself.â€Â

However, life will go on after golf for Siebert. Next year, she will be finishing her degree in liberal studies to become an elementary school teacher.

“I will always be competitive in everything I do, but away from golf, I’m easygoing and a big goofball,â€Â Siebert said.

Siebert nearly gave up on golf in her freshman year in high school.

“It was the lowest I’ve ever felt as an athlete. I wasn’t playing well, and was real frustrated,â€Â Siebert said.

In the end, the decision to stick with golf looks like it paid off for Siebert.

“Everything you do in life makes you who you are. I live with no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing.â€Â

Taylor-Made

Senior golfer Taylor Siebert is team co-captain and the only senior on this year̢۪s women̢۪s golf team. Here are some highlights in Siebert̢۪s career:

̢ۢFirst collegiate win came at the Kitahara Fresno State Invitational last season, where she birdied the 18th hole to break a four-way tie to clinch the title.

̢ۢ Ranked second on the team in 2007-2008 with a 75.88 scoring average.

̢ۢ Led the Bulldogs with 73 birdies and three eagles.

̢ۢ Was Fresno State̢۪s lowest score at the NCAA Tournament last year, tying for 22nd place.