NSU’s Maceli wins MIAA Championship at Meadowlark Hills
KEARNEY, Neb. – Northeastern State’s Sam Maceli held on Tuesday to claim individual medalist honors at the MIAA Women’s Golf Championship at Meadowlark Hills Golf Club.
NSU finished ninth as a team. The University of Central Oklahoma was fourth, while Rogers State University tied for fifth.
The senior became the second NSU women’s golfer to win the individual title at the MIAA Championship, joining Baylee Price (2014, 2016), and the ninth overall since 1999.
Maceli recorded three steady rounds, finishing with a 229 (77-76-76). She had to wait for a couple of hours after her round as Central Missouri’s Libby Green surged ahead with a 6-under-par on the front nine. Green struggled on the back nine, shooting a 10-over-par, which allowed Maceli to reclaim the lead.
The win marks Maceli’s first at NSU. Her previous best finish was runner-up during her junior season. Northeastern State finished ninth overall with a team score of 964 (323-327-314). Jessica Parker was NSU’s next-highest finisher, placing 40th with a 247 (84-82-81). Laia Llorens and Ines Diaz each tied for 43rd with scores of 249. Llorens posted rounds of 83-85-81, while Diaz shot 79-90-80.
Fernanda Rendon Bermudez placed 49th with a 251 (90-84-77).
The RiverHawks will wait until April 28 to find out if their season will continue, when the NCAA announces its postseason field.
Central Missouri won the team title with a 54-hole score of 916 (311-309-296). Northwest Missouri (938) was second and Arkansas Fort Smith (943) third. Central Oklahoma posted a 948 to finish fourth, with rounds of 320, 312, and 316 to finish on Tuesday.
MaKaylee Cowan led Central Oklahoma with a 22-over-par 235 for the week. The sophomore shot rounds of 80 & 78 in the first two rounds before posting a 6-over 77 on Tuesday’s final round.
Estela Castillo was one shot back, finishing with a 236 for the week. She posted rounds of 79 and 80 in the first two rounds before also shooting a 6-over 77 on Tuesday.
Layne Ailshie and Jirasuda Khunarak both shot a 240 this week. Ailshie shot rounds of 82-74-84 and Khunarak posted rounds of 79-80-81. Both finished 26th individually.
Scarlet Sturch finished 38th with a 246 (84-81-81) and Josey Cavitt also competed this week and finished 40th with a 247 (82-86-79).
Central Oklahoma now awaits official word on qualification to the NCAA Central Region Championships, which UCO is hosting at KickingBird Golf Club May 5-7. The Bronchos were ranked No. 11 in the NCAA’s Central Region rankings last week. The top 18 teams make the tournament, with the field announced Monday, April 28.
Rogers State finished tied for fifth in the MIAA Championships following the final round on Tuesday.
“Overall, the golf course had our number this week,” said head coach Whitney Hocutt. “We made too many mistakes to overcome each round. We will focus our time and energy on preparing for the NCAA Central Regional at Kickingbird Golf Course in Edmond.”
Lydia Sitorus led RSU as she finished in a tie for second after shooting a 230 (+17) for the tournament, including a 73 (+2) in the final round, and was named to the All-Tournament Team for her performance. Kristin Gudmundsdottir finished in a tie for 18th with a card of 236 (+23). Jessica Osden finished in a three-way tie for 28th with a 241 (+28). Lauren Anderson finished in a four-way tie for 31st with a 243 (+30). Milena Andres rounded out the squad in a four-way tie for 43rd with a 249 (+36).
Playing as an individual, Brianna Maddux finished in 55th with a 257 (+44).