NASHPORT, Ohio ? Kent State University claimed its ninth consecutive Mid-American Conference Women’s Golf Championship with a 72-hole total of 1203 (305-297-296-305) Sunday afternoon here at the at the Longaberger Golf Club. The Golden Flashes dominated the field winning the event by 49 strokes, as host Eastern Michigan University finished as the runner-up with a three-day total of 1252 (317-310-311-314).
The Golden Flashes’ Kira Meixner led from wire-to-wire to claim medalist honors with a seven-over par total of 295 (71-74-73-77). Meixner was followed by teammate Tara Delaney (75-74-71-79=299) and EMU’s Catherine Fortin (76-72-79-77=304). Meixner’s victory marked the eighth time in the nine-year history of the event a KSU player has won the individual title.
Conditions were perfect as players enjoyed temperatures in the mid-70s and calm winds. Kent State shot 34-over par through the first 54 holes and followed that up by turning in an 17-over par performance in the final round. Western Michigan (1271) placed third and Toledo finished fourth (1301), while Ohio (1303), Ball State (1333) Bowling Green (1335) and Northern Illinois (1340) rounded out the team scores.
Following the championship the teams enjoyed the postseason awards cookout at which the All-MAC and specialty awards were announced. EMU’s second-year head coach Sandy Wagner was selected the MAC Coach of the Year while Fortin was named to the all-tournament team and first team All-MAC. EMU sophomore Stephany Fleet also garnered first team All-MAC accolades.
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Team Standings (Following 72-holes)
1. Kent State 305-297-296-305=1203 +51
2. Eastern Michigan 317-310-311-314=1252 +100
3. Western Michigan 317-324-310-320=1271 +119
4. Toledo 323-324-325-329=1301 +149
5. Ohio University 326-328-321-328=1303 +151
6. Ball State 340-323-337-333=1333 +181
7. Bowling Green 341-330-335-329=1335 +183
8. Northern Illinois 330-336-327-347=1340 +188
Individual Standings (Following 72-holes)
1. Kira Meixner, Kent State 71 74 73 77 -295 +7
2. Tara Delaney, Kent State 75 74 71 79 -299 +11
3. Catherine Fortin, Eastern Michigan 76 72 79 77 -304 +16
4. Maddi Swaney, Kent State 80 75 76 74 -305 +17
5. Kirby Dreher, Kent State 81 74 76 77 -308 +20
6. Erin Thorne, Western Michigan 78 77 74 81 -310 +22
7. Laura Bavaird, Western Michigan 78 81 77 75 -311 +23
8. Stephany Fleet, Eastern Michigan 82 79 75 76 -312 +24
9. Karen Delaney, Kent State 79 81 79 77 -316 +28
10. Kristen Mautz, Ohio 76 85 78 80-319 +31 |
All-Tournament Selections
Kira Meixner ? Kent State
Tara Delaney ? Kent State
Catherine Fortin ? EMU
Maddi Swaney ? Kent State
Kirby Dreher ? Kent State
First Team All-MAC Selections
Stephany Fleet ? EMU
Catherine Fortin ? EMU
Tara Delaney ? Kent State
Kirby Dreher ? Kent State
Kira Meixner ? Kent State
Second Team All-MAC Selections
Maddi Swaney ? Kent State
Kim Kester ? Toledo
Natalie Storck ? Toledo
Erin Thorne ? WMU
Laura Bavaird - WMU
MAC Golfer of the Year
Tara Delaney ? Kent State
MAC Freshman of the Year
Elise Swartout ? Western Michigan
MAC Coach of the Year
Sandy Wagner - EMU
MAC Sportswoman of the Year
Kari Liggett ? Bowling Green