April 26, 2009

Final Results

DEKALB, Ill.- The Northern Illinois University women's golf team posted its best score of the weekend, shooting a 330 in the final round, to hold on to the eighth spot at the 2009 Mid-American Conference Championships at Longaberger Golf Club in Nashport, Ohio Sunday.

"We turned the motivation around a little bit today," NIU head coach Pam Tyska said. "We reset our goals and made today, in our minds, a one-day tournament and post the best score we could. We did much better."

Junior Kim Hunley (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) was the highest-placing Huskie, finishing in 32nd with a four-round total 338 (93-80-84-81) after shooting an 81 in the final round. Mandi Vavrinchik (Elmhurst, Ill./York) had an impressive showing, competing in her third event of the spring and just her fourth all year, tying for 34th after posting a 342 (92-84-83-83).

Senior Ashley Lods (Monticello, Ind./Twin Lakes) closed out her collegiate career with an 81 in the final round, her best score of the tournament, to finish in 37th with a 343 (89-85-88-81). Kelsie Passolt (Hayward, Wis./Hayward) finished her first MAC Championships in 39th after carding an 85 in the final round, finishing with a 347 (96-83-83-85). Michelle Caporusso (Mt. Prospect, Ill./Prospect) was the fifth and final competitor for NIU. She finished in 41st with a 355 (93-84-91-87).

"We're sorry to lose Ashley Lods," Tyska said. "I'm very proud of her and thank her so much for all she's done. I know she's going to be a great ambassador for our program for years to come."

The Huskies shot 1366 (367-331-338-330) for the tournament. Kent State won its 11th straight MAC title with a 1217 (304-309-312-292) and the Golden Flashes' Mercedes Germino maintained her lead to take home medalist honors after shooting a 300 (73-75-80-72).

"I'm looking forward to using the disappointment and frustration from this week and turning that into learning and motivation for next year," Tyska said. "We need to learn from this and make better decisions in the future."

Team Scores: 1. Kent State (1217); 2. Eastern Michigan (1256); T-3. Akron (1297), Western Michigan (1297); 5. Toledo (1305); 6. Ball State (1313), 7. Ohio (1318); 8. Northern Illinois (1366); 9. Bowling Green State (1401).

Top 10 Individual Scores: 1. Mercedes Germino (KSU) 300; 2. Kirby Dreher (KSU) 301; 3. Stephany Fleet (EMU) 306; 4. Maddi Swaney (KSU) 307; T-5. Courtney Aili (EMU) 311, Britney Hamilton (WMU) 311; 7. Mandi Morrow (KSU) 314; T-8. Erin Cahill (317), Darby Peters (EMU) 317; 10. Martina Gavier (KSU) 319.

-NIU-