After a season full of unpredictable weather, the Baker University women’s golf team pushed through to finish second in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and third in Region V play.
The Wildcats traveled to Fairview Heights, Ill., to compete at the Stonewolf golf course.
Head coach Karen Exon said she was very pleased with her team’s play, as many golfers struggled with the high winds Monday and Tuesday during the HAAC championship.
“The weather really made play and scores a lot more difficult than usual,” Exon said. “Generally, the scores reflected that, but we did well. We finished exactly where we were ranked all year long.”
The Wildcats were ranked second in the HAAC and third in Region V throughout the season, and finished in those exact spots.
“We were ranked second behind Lindenwood (University) and third in the region behind William Woods (University) and Lindenwood,” Exon said. “Oddly, Lindenwood ended up beating Williams Woods in the region play. William Woods had been ranked 14th in the nation all season, while Lindenwood struggled to crack the top 25.” With the team accomplishment of second place in the HAAC came a few individual honors as well.
Junior Ashley Johnson finished the tournament tying for fourth place in the HAAC, and she earned a spot on the all-conference team. Johnson scored 90 and 88 for a two-day total of 178 on a par 72 course.
“The course was really hard, so the scores weren’t as good as they have been in the past years,” Johnson said. “I was hoping I could have played a little better, but compared to how everyone else performed, I think I kept up with the pack.”
Exon said she was also pleased with sophomore Melissa Brown’s performance.
“She finished just outside that all-conference team,” Exon said. “She shot 97 the first day and 88 the second. Melissa’s 88 was really impressive because right off the T-box she hit a rock or something, and it went off into the woods. It took her quite a bit to get out of that trouble, and she started off five over par. That was really impressive for her to regain and keep her composure throughout the rest of the holes.”
The team will soon be losing Wildcat seniors Laura Baker, Beth Taylor and Cindy Wierman, who are all graduating next month.
“All three are really strong in the classroom and have been great citizens,” Exon said. “We haven’t had a single leader, but all three have shown great leadership. They’ve operated as co-captains since last season.”
The men traveled to Marshall, Mo., to compete in the HAAC championship Thursday and today. Results were unavailable at press time.