Gabby Barker Named Big 12 Women’s Golf Player of the Year

The Big 12 baseball tournament, regionals, super regionals and (hopefully) the College World Series are around the corner. But until that time news can be a little slow. As someone that comes from a background in professional sports public relations, I geek out on writing sports releases. While this may not be on your radar, it is still important to recognize the honors that continue to pour into our sports programs.

Sophomore Gabby Barker was named the 2016 Big 12 Women's Golf Player of the Year last week. She is the first player in Texas Tech women's golf program history to earn the honor.

"This is a great honor," Barker said to TexasTech.com. "I am very proud to be the first women's golfer at Tech to be named the Big 12 Player of the Year. I couldn't have imagined this happening to me when I first started playing golf and I couldn't have done it without JoJo, Matt and my parents. They have been a huge influence on how I play golf. I can't thank them enough."

Barker is currently ranked No. 18 nationally, and currently boats a 72.09 adjusted coring average, as well as a 13-7 record against opponents ranked in the top 50.

The Lady Raiders just finished playing in the NCAA Stanford Regional taking place at Stanford Country Club. They finished 13^th with a three-day 896 (14-over) to finish eight strokes back of No. 15 Virginia Cavaliers, who secured the sixth and final spot to advance to the 2016 NCAA Championship held in Eugene, Ore.

The national accolades continue to roll into the Texas Tech Red Raiders sports programs.

Congratulations, Gabby.