Nov. 17, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois women's golf coach Renee Slone announced the signing of Crystal Smith (Venice, Fla./Venice H.S.) to a national letter of intent on Monday. Smith, a three-time All-Area selection by the Sarasota Herald Tribune, will join the Fighting Illini for the 2009-10 season.

Slone is very excited about the addition of Smith and what she will bring to the team in the upcoming years.

"Crystal has competed in the golf-rich state of Florida throughout her junior career and has faced top-level players on a weekly basis," Slone said. "This experience will be very beneficial as she transitions from junior to college golf and takes her game to the next level. Her positive attitude and ability to manage her time well will prove to be great assets, and we are all looking forward to her joining us next fall."

PROFILE ON THE NEWEST ILLINI

Crystal Smith // Venice HS / Venice, Fla.
Notes: Three-time Sarasota Herald Tribune All-Area selection ... 2007 District and Regional Class 2A Champion ... 2007 Sarasota City Champion ... 2008 Florida Junior Golf Champion ... 2008 Haile Plantation Junior State Champion ... Back-to-back Sarasota Junior Classic Champion in 2006 and 2007 ... High school team placed third at the 2006 2A Florida State Championship ... Four-year varsity golf letterwinner ... National Honor Society member.