Oklahoma City, Okla.–The Statesmen women’s golf team could not have dreamt up a better ending to its fall season as it went as low as it ever has at the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic hosted by Oklahoma City University Saturday and Sunday.
#12 William Penn placed sixth out of 10 teams with a two-day score of 616 (314-302) at the par-72 Lincoln Park Golf Course (West Course). Host and #5 Oklahoma City won the team crown at 585 (300-285), holding off #7 Bellevue (Neb.) and McLennan CC (#3 NJCAA) by three strokes.
OCU’s Anna Mikish won the individual title at three-under 141 (69-72).
The field included eight ranked programs from NAIA and NJCAA; if junior varsity teams could also be ranked, national raters would be hard-pressed not to put two Statesmen teams in the top 25.
WPU’s second day matched the school’s 18-hole record, set back on August 31 at the Midwest Collegiate Open (also a par-72 course).
Elise Warne (Fr., North Balwyn, Australia, Exercise Science) ended her first collegiate semester tying for 17th out of 59 players at 150 (77-73). Demi Coertze (Sr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) was also in the top 20, tying for 19th at 152 (77-75).
Miranda Keeler (So., Plattsmouth, Neb., Communications), in a tie for 28th (77-80–157), Courtney Cunningham (Jr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science), in a tie for 35th (83-76–159), and Brooke Fletcher (So., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management), in a tie for 42nd (85-78–163), also put together two solid days at the Classic.
The varsity reserve crew was on the course as well, taking ninth at 638 (324-314).
Natalie Booton (Sr., Mount Pleasant, Elementary Education) joined Warne and Coertze in the top 20, tying for 19th at 152 (79-73). Jing Yang (Sr., Woodland Hills, Calif., Biology) was next, placing 39th at 161 (81-80), while Jodi Saito (Jr., Mililani, Hawaii, Education) (T-40th, 79-83–162) and Megan Rhoads (Fr., Schertz, Texas, Psychology) (T-42nd, 85-78–163) were one and two strokes behind her. Sofie Lund (Fr., Herning, Denmark, Psychology) (58th, 104-89–193) also competed for the second group.
As an individual, Alyssa Kerry (Fr., Bend, Ore., Communications) was tied for 51st at 170 (86-84).
“We are very proud of the ladies in our program,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “Beyond postseason play, this was one of the deepest fields we have ever competed in. A tough test of a course was combined with a talented field, but our first and second teams both set team records which was really impressive. We demand a lot out of our players and have talked constantly to them about perspective and the right attitude. From one month ago to today, the growth has been remarkable to see; every player had the right attitude this weekend.”
“I could talk about so many of our players,” Rule added. “Demi was so solid, managing to score well after some really bad breaks and continuing that important leadership. The 1-2 combo of her and Miranda was good to see. Elise is gaining experience every time she takes the course; her performance this weekend was impressive. For that matter, the same can be said for Brooke who has come a long way. Natalie and Courtney have been struggling as of late and have persevered through those struggles; it is fair to say they are back where we need them. I could go on and on, but overall we are very pleased with where our players are at going into the winter.”
