Women's Golf Inks Three In Early Signing Period
November 20, 2011 | Women's Golf
Nov. 20, 2011
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina Head Women's Golf Coach Kevin Williams has announced that Lane Gakeler, Frida Gustafsson-Spang and Nicoline Engstrom Skaug have each signed a National Letter of Intent to play golf for the Pirates during the 2012-13 season.
"Obviously, we are very excited about signing, not one, but two National Champions," said Williams. "The addition of Lane is a bonus for us. All three young ladies have tremendous upside and will make a huge impact for our program. On paper this is the best recruiting class we have ever signed. But, with any class it is not until their careers come to an end that you can truly judge whether it is or not. I am very excited about the future direction of our program based on the impact I feel this class will have for our program."
Lane Gakeler, Greensboro, N.C. (Western Guilford HS)
Three-time North Carolina All-State selection ... Won the Peggy Kirk Bell Tour and Four Oaks Championships ... Placed third at the 2011 Peggy Kirk Bell Tour Open Championship ... Took ninth at the North-South Junior Championships 2010.
Coach Williams' Comments: "Lane is an extremely gifted athlete who has great potential. When her golf and athletic ability come together, then she will make a wonderful impact for our program."
Frida Gustafsson-Spang, Kinna, Sweden (Klippans Gymnasieskola)
Member of the Swedish National Team ... 2011 Swedish Girls Champion ... Won the 2010 Grand Prix des Landes France Championship ... Garnered a pair of fourth place finishes at the Harder German Junior Masters and the 2011 Irish Girls Open ... Member of Sweden's fifth place team at the European Girls Team Championships.
Coach Williams' Comments: "Frida has that wonderful blend of length and touch. She is the Swedish National Champion, which says a lot about her ability based on the amount of talent in Sweden. Her international experience will help her adjust to the collegiate game quickly and we are excited about the impact she will have for our program."
Nicoline Engstrom Skaug, Oslo, Norway (Fagersborg Videregaende Skole)
Member of the Norwegian National Team ... 2011 Norwegian Girls Champion ... Two-time Norwegian Girls Team Champion (2009-10) ... Won the 2010 Titleist Tour Skjeberg Title ... Finished 10th at the 2010 World Junior Golf Series TPC Sawgrass event ... Posted a Top-25 finish at the European Individual Amateur Championships
Coach Williams' Comments: "Nicoline's consistency in her golf game is very impressive. She is really good in all areas and reminds me a lot of current freshman, Katie Kirk. Like Frida, she is a National Champion, which is such a wonderful accomplishment. Her international experience will help her make an immediate impact for our program."
The Pirates finished the fall season with a 54-16, which included a win at the 2011 Golfweek Program Championships, the 21st team title in their 12th year of existence. ECU will return to action Feb. 26, 2012 at the All-State Sugar Bowl Championships in New Orleans, La.
Players Mentioned
