COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs head women's golf coach Todd Laxson has announced the signings of three recruits to a National Letter of Intent - Cheryl Gauthier, Samantha Saile and Emily Shimkus.
 
"I'm excited to get these golfers to campus!" commented Laxson. "We've recruited three players that can come in and contribute from day one." 
 
Cheryl Gauthier hails from Liberty Hill, Texas where she was a two-time team MVP for the Liberty Hill High School Panthers. In 2018, the Panthers won the regional championship and qualified for the state tournament in 2017 and 2018 after winning the District championship.  Off the course, Gauthier received an AP Physics award and she participates in the Robotics, Art and ASL clubs.
 
"Cheryl is ready to play NOW," said Laxson.  "She's got good length off the tee and a sharp short game. I'm excited to watch her compete in the fall."
 
Samantha Saile joins the Mountain Lions from Barrington High School in Barrington, Ill.  A four-year letterwinner and an all-conference performer this past season, Saile helped the 2018 BHS team win the conference, regional and sectional titles before placing second at the state tournament.  The team repeated their conference championship title in 2019, while earning runner-up finishes at the regional, sectional and state tournaments.  The team captain, Saile is also president of the Ceramics Club and participates in Leadership Council, the German Club and the co-ed a cappella singing group.
 
"Samantha comes from a very competitive high school environment and she is going to be a tremendous asset to us!" said Laxson.
 
From Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Ariz., Emily Shimkus is a four-year varsity letterwinner in golf for the Falcons.  She helped CSHS to three state championships and the 2019 state runner-up, and four regional championship titles.  In 2020, Shimkus finished 12^th at the state championship.  She finished in the top 20 all four years at the state championship tournament, including in the top 5 at the 2017 state championship. A four-year member of the Student Council, Shimkus is also an executive board member of the Public Relations Officer.
 
"Emily was the icing on the cake for this class," commented Laxson. "She's an extremely solid player in all areas and I'm glad she decided that UCCS was a good fit for her because she'll raise the competitiveness of our team to a level I'm not sure we've seen before.
 
"They are all a great fit both as students and players to the culture we're creating and the expectations we have for UCCS."