Macy Wright and Ryleigh Waltz finished in a tie for fourth place to help the Northern Kentucky women’s golf team push eventual team champion Oakland as the Norse finished second in their inaugural Horizon League Championship.
Waltz led the final-round charge with the second-lowest round of the day, carding a 76. She moved five spots up the leaderboard. Wright, who led the championship after each of the first two rounds, settled for an 86 on the afternoon.
On a day where scoring was at a premium, Sarah Kellam joined Waltz in saving their best for last. Kellam shot a 77 and climbed up into a share of 12th.
Allison Leigeb posted an 82 to finish in 15th, giving NKU four golfers in the top-15. Mimi Cheepborisut posted the final countable round for NKU with an 85.
Waltz and Wright were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts.
NKU entered the final day trailing Oakland by five shots. All five Golden Grizzlies shot in the low 80s to leave the door open for NKU. In fact, each of the four countable scorers for Oakland bogeyed the final hole, but Northern Kentucky’s players weren’t able to capitalize and NKU finished three strokes off the lead.
UIC’s Phon Angwarawong won the event at 10-over par for the tournament.
This marks the best league finish for the Norse since reclassifying to NCAA Division I. NKU will be eligible for the NCAA Championships next season.
Final Results
2. Northern Kentucky 314-313-320 – 944
t4. Macy Wright 73-74-86 – 233
t4. Ryleigh Waltz 78-79-76 – 233
t12. Sarah Kellam 82-81-77 – 240
15. Allison Leigeb 81-79-82 – 242
36. Mimi Cheepborisut 91-83-85 – 259
Horizon League All-Championship Team
Phon Angwarawong, UIC
Emily Dixon, Youngstown State
Allyson Hackman, Cleveland State
Ryleigh Waltz, Northern Kentucky
Macy Wright, Northern Kentucky
Norse men, led by Portz, finish seventh in tourney
Northern Kentucky men’s golfer Clayton Portz was one of nine players to card a final-round score at par or better to move up two spots into sixth place on the individual leaderboard, but NKU settled for a seventh-place team finish in its inaugural Horizon League Championship.
Portz improved in each of the three rounds, posting scores of 75-73-72—218 en route to his final standings.
Three birdies on the back nine helped Matt Wetherill shoot a 75. He finished tied for 30th.
Jacob Poore’s 79 and Jacob Brinker’s 80 served as the final two countable scores for the Norse. Brinker closed in 26th and Poore was 33rd.
Wright State’s Ryan Wenzler claimed the individual title at five-under for the championship, but Cleveland State won the team championship by eight strokes over Oakland.
Final Standings
7. Northern Kentucky 309-310-306 – 925
6. Clayton Portz 75-73-72 – 220
26. Jacob Brinker 81-74-80 – 235
t30. Matthew Wetherill 79-83-75 – 237
33. Jacob Poore 74-87-79 – 240
38. Jackson Frame 87-80-85 – 252
From NKU Athletics