Loper Women’s Golf Ends Top Thirteen at Nationals

EUREKA, MO – The 56th-ranked Nebraska Kearney women’s golf team shot the second lowest 54-hole score (917) in school history to finish 13th at the NCAA Division II Championships Thursday in Eureka, Mo.

The 18-team field, plus eighth individuals, began the tournament on Tuesday at Fox Run G.C. (par 72/6,087 yards) after a weather delay. The top eight teams after 54 holes move on to a match-play bracket with the national champion crowned on Saturday.

The Lopers had efforts of 303, 306 and 308 to come in ahead of five teams including 14th-ranked Limestone (S.C.), 26th-ranked and home standing Missouri-St. Louis and 41st-ranked and region rival Augustana. The 917 trails only the 866 UNK carded at the NCAA Central Regional last week in Iowa. ​

Second-ranked Dallas Baptist (874) and West Texas A&M (877) placed first and second, respectively, with Nova Southeastern’s Olivia Gronborg (6-under 210) the medalist. The eighth and final team spot went to 16th-ranked Cal State East Bay (895). 

Arizona senior Paige Lucero finished her career in style with a team-best 2-over 74 today. She had three birdies and four straight pars on the back nine. The effort helped her place a team-best 38th overall (227) with her tally ranking seventh in school history for 54 holes. Finally, the four-year starter is seventh in career rounds (76) and ninth in career stroke average (81.78).

Next, Colombian sophomore Juliana Botero Molina tied for 47th (229), Kansas sophomore Brooke King tied for 59th (232) with Kansas junior Allison Comer tied for 72nd (233). Botero Molina has an Eagle on the par 5 seventh hole (494 yards) as well as two birdies with King having one birdie and nine pars. Finally, Comer “Aced” the par 3 sixth hole (160 yards). King had a hole-in-one last week at regionals. 

And wrapping up a five-year Loper career was Puerto Rico senior Faviola Gonzalez. She had a 76 today thanks to a birdie the par 3 13th hole (125 yards) and five straight birdies to begin the morning. Gonzalez leaves UNK with a bevy of records including career rounds played (96), career stroke average (78.41) and 18-hole score (67).

The Lopers will tee it up again in September.