Huskers Add Two Recruits

Lincoln - Nebraska women's golf coach Robin Krapfl announced Tuesday that prep golfers Kayla Knopik and Mary Kate Bird to National Letters of Intent to play for the Huskers beginning in the fall of 2007.

Knopik, one of the top junior players in the state of Nebraska, comes to the Huskers from Papillion-LaVista High School. Bird, who attends St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the top 100 juniors in the nation and won the Missouri high school state title in 2006.

Krapfl said the Huskers are getting a pair of outstanding golfers and individuals next season.

"I am very excited about this year's signings. I think in Mary Kate we are getting a great golfer who has the game to play at the highest level," Krapfl said. "She has excellent length off the tee, is a consistent ball-striker and has a great putting stroke. More importantly, she is a wonderful person and a good student. She is also a great team player.

"Kayla has the potential to develop into a very good college golfer. She is a three-sport athlete, lettering in golf, basketball and tennis. I really believe once Kayla can focus on one sport she is going to become a great golfer. She has outstanding length off the tee, the athletic ability to pick things up quickly, and she knows how to compete. Kayla is also an excellent student."

Bird is ranked No. 76 nationally in the Golfweek Class of 2007 Junior Rankings. She also tied for 37th at the Junior PGA Championship in Westfield, Ohio, over the summer. She won the AJGA qualifier in Wichita, Kan., and placed second at the Calloway PGA Junior Series with rounds of 71 and 75 in Des Moines, Iowa in the 2006. She added a fourth-place finish with rounds of 73 and 76 at the IJGT Fitness for Golf Classic in Mesa, Ariz.

Bird also won the Four-State competition as a member of Missouri's five-player team. The Four-State tournament features the best young players from Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri.

Knopik was the Nebraska Girls Match Play runner-up in 2006, finishing second to current Husker freshman JC Stevenson from Grand Island. Knopik added a fifth-place finish at the 2006 Nebraska State Stroke Play Championship and finished fifth at the 2006 Nebraska High School Class A State Tournament, shooting the best round of the tournament with a 76. Knopik was also named an NJCA Junior All-Star.