The former state champion is one of just three returners as she gets ready to begin her sophomore year

Former West Linn golfer Sharon Shin is getting ready to embark on her sophomore year at Cal State Northridge after a terrific first season collegiately.

As a true freshman, Shin earned her way onto the varsity traveling team for every tournament, competing in all 11 and finishing as her team's third-best scorer.

Her freshman year was a learning experience for Shin as she constantly had to be at the top of her game just to keep her varsity spot from week to week. That's a far cry from her high school experience where Shin was one of the top golfers in the state all four years she played with the Lions, winning the individual state title as a sophomore and helping West Linn to two team state championships as well.

“We always have to qualify for our spot. Everyone in college is so good that you always have to be at your best. It's stressful but it's rewarding,” Shin said.

Last October, Shin posted a seventh place finish at the Firestone Grill Invitational, her best collegiate showing to date.

She will now gear up for the school's fall season and will head back to school early as she is an RA in her dorm this year.

It will be a new experience for Shin since, as a freshman, she was joining a talented veteran team.

However, Cal State has just three returners this year and Shin will take on a different role.

“I definitely feel like I'm ready to step up into more of a leadership position,” Shin said.

Despite losing a large contingent of talented players, the Matadors expect to be very competitive again.

“It's going to be different since I was the only freshman on the team last year but we have a lot of really strong freshmen coming in, all from California,” Shin said.

As one of the team's few veterans, Shin has set some lofty goals for this season.

“I want to compete in every tournament again and hopefully post some more top-10 finishes,” she said.

Over the summer, Shin has practiced up in Oregon and hopes to be 100 percent when the fall season starts next month.

“I'm just trying to work on making my swing more consistent and breaking a few bad habits,” Shin said.