UCO dips to seventh as NCAA Division II Championship concludes
ALLENDALE, Mich. (May 16) – Bethany Darrough and Katie Bensch tied for 16th in the individual standings, but Central Oklahoma struggled on the final day of the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships here Saturday.
The Bronchos shot a closing 315 to drop from fourth to seventh in the final standings with a 1,249 total in the four-day, 72-hole tournament at the 6,193-yard, par-72 Meadows Golf Course on the campus of Grand Valley State, finishing just four shots out of fourth.
Indianapolis became the first non-Florida school to win a Division II national women’s title, finishing at 1,212 to edge Rollins by five strokes. Lynn was third at 1,225, followed by Tarleton State (1,245), Nova Southeastern (1,246), St. Edward’s (1,247) and UCO.
Darrough led the Bronchos with a final-round 76, while Katie Bensch shot 77 as they finished with 308 totals in tying for 16th. Marla Souvannasing had a 79, with Lindsey Bensch shooting 83 and Daniela Martinez 84.
“It obviously wasn’t the type of finish we wanted, but the girls gave great effort and maybe wanted it too much,” head coach Michael Bond said. “We had an unbelievable year and did a lot of great things. I’m really proud of this team and the way these ladies represented our school and program.”
Darrough got off to a great start in the final round with 14 straight pars. The Kingfisher senior bogeyed No. 15, then followed with a double bogey and another bogey before ending her career with a par.
Katie Bensch had six pars and three bogeys in shooting a front-nine 40, but rebounded with a closing 37 after playing the final five holes even-par.
Souvannasing went out in 41 before coming back with a 38. Lindsey Bensch had it going early in her round and was just one-over through seven holes before making double bogey-quadruple bogey in a front-nine 43.
It was the fourth straight national tournament appearance for the Bronchos, who won nine tournament titles this year.