June 13, 2006

University of New Mexico women's golfer Mikaela Backstedt has been named an honorable mention All-America by Golfweek magazine.

Arguably one of the top newcomers in women's collegiate golf, Backstedt completed her freshman season by breaking the UNM scoring record with a per-round average of 73.40. The previous mark was 73.91 by Kailin Downs during her junior season of 2003-04. Backstedt was first team all-Mountain West Conference and the co-Freshman of the Year in the MWC.

The native of Hollviken, Sweden, Backstedt finished the season ranked 35th in the nation by Golfweek with a player rating of 72.93. She was the No. 2 golfer in the Mountain West Conference and was named MWC Golfer of the Month for September and October, her first two months as a collegian.

Backstedt won the New Mexico State Invitational last fall to become the first freshman in the history of New Mexico women's golf to win a tournament and the first Lobo, regardless of classification, to claim a title since senior Katrina Leckovic captured the 2003 UNLV Invitational.

Backstedt and Lobo teammate Py Bengtsson are currently participating in the Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Backstedt is tied for fifth after shooting a 3-under 72 in today's first round. Bengtsson shot even-par 75 and is tied for 20th. The tournament concludes with 18 holes on Wednesday.