The Augustana women's golf team saw its memorable 2006-07 season come to a close with a disappointing fifth-place finish at the 2007 NCAA Division II Women's Golf North Regional Championships Wednesday at the Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, Iowa.
The Vikings, the No. 1-ranked team in the final regular season regional rankings, shot a 342 team score on Wednesday to finish with a 54-hole total of 1004. The Vikings entered the final day of the 3-day event 9 shots behind second-place Truman State.
North Dakota easily won the team title with a 971. Truman State and Nebraska-Omaha tied for second place, forcing a team playoff. On the first hole, TSU shot a 20, while Nebraska-Omaha carded a 21. That resulted in North Dakota and Truman State advancing to the national championships May 9-12 in Pensacola, Fla.
Individually,
Carley Roach was the top Viking finisher. The junior from Brookings, S.D., shot an 89 on Wednesday to tie for ninth place along with Sarah Lucken of UND. Roach was the defending regional champion.
Courtney Belanger was next in for Augie. She placed 15th at 252. Meanwhile, Joelle Kowalczyk tied for 18th place at 254 and Kaari Espeland tied for 22nd place at 259. Laura Strautz rounded out the team in a tie for 27th place at 262.
Upper Iowa's Rachael Schmidt claimed medalist honors by shooting a 226. Schmidt, along with Concordia-St. Paul's Kelly Goodwin qualified for nationals as individuals. Goodwin finished third at 236.
Team Standings1. North Dakota, 317-330-324 Tot-971
2. Truman State, 326-327-339 Tot-992*
3. Nebraska-Omaha, 328-346-318 Tot-992
4. Upper Iowa, 326-340-332 Tot-998
5. Augustana, 329-333-342 Tot-10046. Winona State, 341-335-334 Tot-1010
* - Truman State wins 1-hole playoff
Augustana ScoresT9. Carley Roach, 77-79-89 Tot-245
15. Courtney Belanger, 83-84-85 Tot-252
T18. Joelle Kowalczyk, 84-84-86 Tot-254
T22. Kaari Espeland, 89-86-84 Tot-259
T27. Laura Strautz, 85-90-87 Tot-262
