Nick Lasko (left) and Drew Halili (right) will join the WWU men’s golf program beginning in 2019-20. PHOTO: WWU Athletics
Vikings Sign Pair of Northwest Golfers to NLI
December 7, 2018
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University head golf coach Luke Bennett has announced the addition of a pair of Northwest golfers to the program with Nick Lasko and Drew Halili signing National Letters of Intent to compete for the Vikings beginning with the 2019-20 season.
WWU Men’s Golf NLI Signees
Nick Lasso: Clackamas, OR - Clackamas High School
Drew Halili: Port Orchard, WA- South Kitsap High School
Lasko joins the program after tying for 6th place individual at the 2017 OSAA (Oregon School Activities Association) State Championship and 11th at the 2018 state tournament. As a junior in 2018 he won six out of seven league matches as well as the district title.
On the summer circuit he placed in the top 10 in each of the Oregon Junior Golf tournaments he appeared in and advanced to the quarterfinals in the championship bracket of the 2018 PNGA Junior Match Play. Additionally, he tied for 49th place at the IMG Junior World Championship at Torrey Pines with a four-round total of 299 (78-74-69-78).
“I am thrilled to have Nick coming aboard next fall,” said Bennett, who head up both the men’s and women’s WWU golf teams. “He is the complete package, talented, passionate about the game and a great student. He’s going to do great things as a Viking.”
Lasko is excited to start his WWU career and looking forward to attending Western Washington University.
“WWU was very attractive because of the great academic opportunity it offers in an ideal location,” said Lasko. “I was looking for a competitive, yet tight-knit golf team, and I believe the program offers just that. On top of that, it is also one of the top-ranked programs in the nation. Western was the whole package for me because of its location, academics and quality golf program.”
Halili carries an impressive golf resume heading into his senior season at South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard. He was selected as the 2018 South Puget Sound League Player of the Year after winning the conference championship. He has participated in the 4A WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) state tournament every year of his prep career.
Halili was a member of the 2018 Hogan Cup Team and was the 2017 Tacoma City Junior Amateur champion (2nd in 2018). He was also selected to play in the 2017 Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach as a representative of the South Puget Sound First Tee program. He a winner of the Joan Teats WJGA Most Inspirational Award in 2017 and he tied for 5th place at the 2018 WJGA State Championship with a 1-over-par 215.
“I couldn’t be more excited to have Drew coming in next fall,” said Bennett. “He’s an extremely hard worker and very talented young man. He’s going to make an immediate impact in our program.”
Halili is excited to start his Western career and looks forward to begin a student at WWU.
“I loved how the students were involved with the school one way or another. If it was a sport, club or activity I felt like Western had a great community with a great city to explore,” said Halili. “I am extremely excited to play for the golf team and I can’t wait to compete for the Vikings while representing my school, my family and my hometown.”
Both players will be freshmen when they arrive on campus for the 2019-20 season.
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