CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University women's golf team has stayed at home in adding one of the state's top prep golfers to the 2009-10 roster.

Catherine Smith, who helped lead Rossview High School to the 2008 Class AAA State championship, has signed a letter of intent to play at Austin Peay.

Smith recently finished second at the Class AAA state tournament played in Murfreesboro. Smith shot a 74 in the rained-shortened tourney as Rossview won its second state championship by four strokes over Soddy-Daisy. Smith was edged out for medalist honors by Germantown Houston's Natalie Mitchell.

For the season, Smith averaged 37 for nine holes. She also finished second at the 2008 Class AAA district and region tournaments.

Like previous signee Tabitha Beard, Smith is ranked in the Top 20 senior golfers in Tennessee. For the last two years she has won the Hank Miles Junior City Amateur. She also finished fifth in the 2008 Tennessee Golf Association Girls' Junior Amateur Championship.

Off the course, she is a member of the National Honor and Hispanic National Honors Societies and is the Key Club secretary.

“I am excited to get another hometown girl on our roster,” APSU golf coach Sara Robson said. “Clarksville is very well known for junior golf and has produced some outstanding college golfers and Catherine will be no exception. 

“She will come in and make a difference in our program, bringing her knowledge of the game as well as a desire to learn more and continue to improve. Catherine will join Tabitha Beard and add depth to our roster, helping us move one step closer to reaching our goals.”

- AP -