Golfer Kierstan Capito has been named this year’s City College Female Student Athlete of the Year.

“This is such an honor and I was very excited when I found out that I was going to be named Athlete of the Year,” said Capito, who did not start golfing until her freshman year of high school.

Capito led the Vaqueros to their first Western State Conference Championship this year and took third place in the Southern California State Championship. Capito was named the WSC player of the year and is the first Vaquero to be named to the all-California team.

“I am very proud of Kierstan,” said Chuck Melendez, who coaches both the men’s and women’s golf teams and was also named 2004 WSC golf Coach of the Year. “She works very hard and deserves to be Athlete of the Year.”

Capito is originally from Paso Robles, where she played on the varsity golf team in all four years of High School.

Her father is an avid golfer himself, and he is the person responsible for teaching her how to play. “My dad plays a lot of golf, and he is pretty much the one that got me hooked,” Capito said.

Holding a handicap around seven or eight, Capito’s average on an 18-hole golf course is usually around 77. The best round that she has ever had is a 73, which she shot earlier this year in match against College of the Canyons.

Phil Mickelson is Capito’s favorite pro golfer, as they have a distinct similarity.

“Mickelson is left-handed and I am too,” Capito said. “There aren’t a lot of lefties out there so when Mickelson wins, it makes me proud.”

Capito feels that her short game is her strength. She strives on having consistent drives and nailing her chipping and putting.

The women’s golf team practiced and held all of their matches at the Sandpiper Golf Course. Capito’s favorite local golf course is Rancho San Marcos.

Capito gave a lot of credit to Coach Melendez. “Chuck is a really a good coach and also a good person. He’s real easy to get along with and also very fun to play for.”

Capito is a sophomore and is in her final semester at City College. She has received a scholarship to play golf at Cal State-Monterey and will start there in the fall.

“I am very excited to see how Kierstan does,” said Melendez. “I know that she will do great wherever she ends up.”

Coach Melendez stressed that Keirstan’s success was the primary reason women’s golf had such a great year.

“It is so nice to coach such great kids. It also helps when they are as talented as Kierstan is,” Melendez said. “It was a complete pleasure to have her be a part of the team these past two years.”

There will be a ceremony this Friday the 13th to honor Capito and the Male Athlete of the Year, Armen Zakarian. The ceremony will be held in the City College cafeteria from 5 to 7 p.m.