Murray State women’s golf coach Velvet Milkman welcomes a class of three newcomers for the 2022-23 season.
Katherine Weir (Madisonville, Ky.), Ellie West (Mayfield, Ky.) and Kaitlyn Zieba (Madisonville, Ky.) join the Racers in the fall of 2022 as freshmen.
“I am excited to have Ellie, Kaitlyn and Katherine join our racer golf family,” said Coach Milkman, whose program has won 12 Ohio Valley Conference championships. “These trio brings a tremendous amount of athleticism and competitiveness to our program. Kaitlyn and Kat played together at Madisonville North Hopkins High School program and understand what it takes to win. Ellie played events on the Graves County High School boys team for her senior year which helped to develop her game and her competitiveness. I am very pleased these three chose to stay in western Kentucky to continue their academic and athletic careers. They will be great representatives for our athletic program and Murray State University.”
Katherine Weir – Madisonville North Hopkins High School
- Was a three year Kentucky State Tournament qualifier.
- Was a member of a program that won three consecutive KHSAA Region-2 championships (2019, 2020, 2021).
- Four year All-Region-2 honors.
- Played five years on varsity team.
2021 High School Season
- KHSAA Region 2 – Individual Runner-up (78).
- KHSAA Region 2 – Team Champion.
- KHSAA State Tournament – Team fourth place – Top-25 individual finish.
- Lady Maroon Invitational – Individual Champion (74).
“Kat is a talented athlete with the ability to be a very good player,” Milkman said. “She had a successful year in 2021 and is improving daily and is just starting to reach her potential. She is very dedicated and determined and will work hard to achieve her goals. Kat will have a great career at Murray State University both on the golf course and in the classroom.”
Ellie West – Graves County High School
- Was a three year Kentucky State Tournament qualifier.
- Played five years on varsity team.
2021 High School Season
- KHSAA State Tournament.
- All-Region-1 honors.
- Individual Medalist at the Lady Eagle Invitational (75).
- Had one win and three runner-up finishes.
“Ellie is a competitive athlete that has the ability to be a good player,” Milkman said. “She will develop quickly in our program and improve as she continues to gain strength and experience. Ellie is committed to working to get better to be successful and it will be fun to watch her grow and improve in our program.”
Kaitlyn Zieba Madisonville-North Hopkins High School
- Was a four-year Kentucky State Tournament qualifier.
- Member of team that won three consecutive KHSAA Region-2 championships (2019, 2020, 2021).
- Played five years on the varsity team.
- Was a five year All-Region-2 team member.
2021 High School Season
- KHSAA First Team All-State selection.
- Earned KHSAA All-Region-2 honors.
- Was KHSAA Region-2 individual champion (75).
- Part of the KHSAA Region-2 team champion.
- KHSAA State Tournament – team fourth – Top-20 individual.
- Had nine top five finishes and three runner-up finishes in high school tournaments.
2020 High School Season
- Was KHSAA Region-2 individual runner up.
- Had six Top-5 finishes in high school tournaments.
“Kaitlyn is a gifted athlete that has a great deal of upside potential,” Milkman said. “She is extremely athletic and has all the tools to be a very good player. In 2021. her game became more consistent and she began to put herself in the position to win golf tournaments. Kaitlyn is a very competitive person that wants to succeed. She has the ability to do great things as a Racer and it will be exciting to watch her collegiate career.”
About Murray State Athletics
Located in Murray, Kentucky, the athletics department of Murray State University is a NCAA Division I member and plays in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Racers have 15 programs including men’s teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, football and golf and women’s teams for basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball, as well as a mixed gender rifle team. Currently a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the Racers will join the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2022.