NCAA regional play began this week with Division II women. Four regional championships played out across the country to determine the 12-team national championship field that will compete May 11-15 at TPC Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan.
In the East Regional, Indianapolis’ advancement was no surprise as the No. 5-ranked team in the nation has been a familiar – and competitive – presence at recent championships, having won in 2015 and 2018.
Top-ranked Dallas Baptist advanced, but suffered an upset at the hands of St. Mary’s, the No. 7-ranked D2 team by Golfstat.
Florida Southern, No. 8 in Golfstat, was the highest-ranked team not to advance to the national championship. Florida Tech’s program has been discontinued since the Panthers won the 2019 national title, the last championship played.
A recap of each regional site is below.
Central Regional
Advancing teams: Arkansas Tech, Rogers State, Northeastern State
Advancing individuals: Allycia Gan, Missouri Western; Allie Bianchi, Henderson State; Rosie Klausner, Central Missouri
Arkansas Tech edged Rogers State by five shots to win the Central Regional title and secure a spot in the national championship. This is the second regional crown for the Golden Suns, and the performance will send them to a fourth consecutive NCAA tournament – their sixth overall after a 2014 debut. Arkansas Tech fought its way from third to first in the final day and placed three players in the top six.
🏆🚨🏆🚨 CHAMPIONS! @ATUWomensgolf overcame a six-shot deficit and won by five shots en route to capturing their second-ever NCAA Central Regional Championship! They will be heading to their sixth-overall and fourth-straight NCAA National Championship! #FightOn pic.twitter.com/TlgHKimv5Y
— Arkansas Tech Sports (@ATU_Athletics) May 5, 2021
East Regional
Advancing teams: Indianapolis, Findlay, Grand Valley State
Advancing individuals: Emma Thorngren, Missouri-St. Louis; Sydni Harding, Northwood; Alice Putoud, Tiffin
Indy winning regional titles has become somewhat expected. The Hounds finished 22 shots ahead of the field at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, to claim a sixth regional title in nine tournaments since 2012. Junior Cailyn Henderson was the individual medalist, which gave the Hounds the top player in the region for the fourth consecutive regional tournament. Fifth-year senior Pilar Echeverria won three consecutive regionals from 2017-19 while the postseason was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is Indy’s seventh team title this season. The Hounds have won every time they teed it up but for a sixth-place finish at the Emerald Coast Classic in March.
So proud of this group! 2021 NCAA East Region Champs and moving on to the national championship! @cailynhenderson wins individually! Let’s go Hounds! #ProudCoach #GoHounds @UIndyAthletics pic.twitter.com/xWcqeBers6
— Brent Nicoson, Coach (@UIndyHoundsGolf) May 5, 2021
South Regional
Advancing teams: Tampa, Lynn, Limestone
Advancing individuals: Madeline Ananthasane, North Georgia; Emma Charles, Anderson; Solange Gomez, West Florida
Tampa won a regional title for the first time in program history. Led by Kiira Riihijarvi, who a month ago made the cut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Tampa finished 13 shots ahead of runner-up Lynn at Cleveland Country Club in Cleveland, Tennessee, to easily advance to the national championship. Tampa didn’t compete in the fall because of COVID, but in five spring starts leading up to the regional tournament, finished no worse than sixth and placed in the top 3 three times.
This is the second career NCAA Regional individual championship for Riihijarvi, who also won as a freshman in 2017.
West Regional
Advancing teams: St. Mary’s (Texas), Dallas Baptist, Texas A&M – Commerce
Advancing individuals: Camilla Jarvela, Oklahoma Christian; Loukyee Songprasert, West Texas A&M; Anahi Servin, Academy of Art
St. Mary’s never trailed on its way to winning the West Regional at Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch in Denton, Texas. The Rattlers won their first regional title by finishing 16 shots ahead of runner-up DBU, which has been the top-ranked team in the division.
St. Mary’s senior Sofia Ruescas was the individual medalist with her 6-under total and two teammates placed in the top 6.
3⃣ #LSCgolf teams and 2⃣ individuals punch tickets to #D2WGOLF Championships at TPC Michigan May 11-15!
Congrats @StMarysRattlers, @DBUAthletics, and @Lion_Athletics!
And @OCEagles Camilla Jarvela and @WTBuffNation
Loukyee Songprasert!Results: https://t.co/qZYFJaVcHt pic.twitter.com/mLSlo8eHNv
— Lone Star Conference (@LoneStarConf) May 5, 2021
