April 17 - April 23, 2023

Crystal Wang | GR., Women's Golf | Major: Masters: Business Analytics

The Illinois women's golf team captured the first Big Ten title in program history by carding a final round 287 (+3) to finish the tournament at 13-over, backed by Crystal Wang firing an incredible 9-under 62 to finish at 12-under, earning medalist honors. The Fighting Illini's overall score of 865 is the sixth-lowest score by a winning team in a 54-hole championship.

"Crystal was just doing Crystal stuff," head coach Renee Slone said. "She was in her own little world and as far as the shots that I saw, it was very impressive. She did a really good job of staying present and being in the moment. She saved her best for today and really brought it. She was the key component to our success."

Wang became the first Illini since Slone (formerly Heiken) in 1993 to win the Big Ten crown, doing so in completely dominant fashion. Not only does her score of 9-under match the program record for lowest round, her 62 is the lowest round at any conference tournament, while also besting the Big Ten Championship low round by one stroke. Wang's overall score of 201 (-12) is the lowest 54-hole score at the Big Ten Championships, breaking the previous record by four strokes.

The graduate student was the only golfer in the field to finish under par, winning by 12 strokes. She led the field in par 3 (2.83, -2) scoring, par 4 (3.85, -5) and rolled home a tournament-high 17 birdies. Wang, from Diamond Bar, Calif., is a graduate student studying Business Analytics.

º2022-23 Scholar Athlete of the Week Winners