Kalamazoo, MICH… The Kent State women's golf team hoisted the MAC Championship trophy for an unprecedented 24th time on Sunday, ensuring that the Flashes remain as the only program in the 25-year history of the conference tournament to ever win the title.
Even by their traditional standard of dominance, what the Flashes accomplished at this year's championship was unheard of, with all five members of their lineup placing in the top-seven of the 50-player field. As a team, Kent State finished 33 strokes clear of the next closest team in Northern Illinois.
"Western Michigan and the MAC hosted an incredible event, and I'm so excited for these ladies," KSU head coach Casey VanDamme said. "Winning is very difficult in college golf and they had a great round today on a championship course despite tough weather conditions."
In addition to preserving their streak of perfection as a team, the Flashes also reclaimed the individual crown, as freshman phenom Leon Takagi carded a team-low 69 on Sunday to earn the title of individual MAC Champion.
"We are all so excited for Leon," VanDamme said. "She did a great job all week and really finished strong."
Four of the five Flashes in the lineup gained ground in Sunday's finale, with Takagi and Mayka Hoogeboom eventually catching and passing the leader in Bowling Green's Kayla Davis, who finished this year's event in third despite leading after each of the first two days.
With a round three score of 70, junior transfer Hester Sicking picked up five spots to finish her first ever MAC Championship in fifth, just ahead of Noramol Nuchsila and Jennifer Gu who closed out in a tie for seventh.
With another MAC title under their belts, Kent State will now turn their attention toward the NCAA Regionals, which are slated to begin on May 8th.
Tournament Information
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Course: Kalamazoo Country Club
Dates: April 21-23
Distance: Par 72 - 6011 Yards
Final Team Results
1. Kent State +11
2. Northern Illinois +44
3. Central Michigan +48
4. Akron +59
5. Toledo +66
6. Western Michigan +69
7. Ball State +85
8. Ohio +86
9. Bowling Green +89
10. Eastern Michigan +90
Final Individual Results
1. Leon Takagi -1, 219 (73-73-69)
T2. Mayka Hoogeboom +3, 219 (74-75-70)
5. Hester Sicking +7, 223 (73-80-70)
T7. Noramol Nuchsila +9, 225 (71-78-76)
T7. Jennifer Gu +9, 225 (76-79-70)
