NEKOOSA, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – After three rounds of competition at the 2013 WIAC Championship, the UW-Eau Claire women's golf team won the title, securing the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship that will be conducted May 13-16, 2014, in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
The Blugolds held a six-stroke advantage over UW-Stout entering the final round and finished three strokes better than the Blue Devils on the final 18 holes to post a nine-shot victory. Eau Claire won its ninth WIAC championship in program history and fourth in the last five seasons with 999 strokes. UW-Stout had 1,008 strokes to take second, while UW-Whitewater placed third with 1,043.
Individually, Kate Engler (Jr.-Beloit, Wis./F.J. Turner) secured medalist honors with 231 strokes to exceed the second-place sum of 240 strokes by UW-Stout's Brittany McNett-Emmerich - the defending conference champion. The Blugolds have had nine individuals combine to win 11 medalist trophies.
The Blugolds had two other golfers finish in the top 12.
Emily Stone (Jr.-Eden Prairie, Minn.) took third place with 242 strokes while Mandi Salo (Jr.-Hermantown, Minn.) tied for 12th with 256. A total of 51 golfers competed in the championship.
At the conclusion of the championship, an All-Sportsmanship Team was chosen for individuals who displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. Selected from Eau Claire was Samantha Dvorsak (Jr.-Corcoran, Minn./Rockford), who finished 35th with 283 strokes.
The WIAC Championship marks the conclusion of the fall season for the Blugolds. They will be back in action in the spring.
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