Oskaloosa, IA – In a historic debut for the Indian Hills Women's Golf program, the Warriors took home the team and individual titles at the 2024 Statesmen Invitational. Indian Hills, making its first tournament appearance in program history, defeated the field by 17 strokes.
The Warriors led wire-to-wire in the 36-hole tournament after taking a commanding lead following the first day of competition on Monday. Indian Hills pulled away on day two at the Edmundson Golf Course to secure the first victory in program history. The Warriors fired round scores of 312-306 to finish ahead of second-place finisher and tournament host William Penn University.
The Warriors were led by an impressive showing from freshman Joska Nelis (Haarlem, Netherlands/Lyceum Sancta Maria), making her collegiate debut. Nelis, who entered day two in second-place after an opening round 75, shot a second round low 74 to capture medalist honors by one stroke.
Fellow freshman Taylor Pacheco (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian) placed sixth overall after shooting 79-75-154, one of the largest improvements from day one to day two across the field. Poppy Norcott (Wiltshire, United Kingdom/ Hartpury College) placed eighth overall with a 15-over, 157. Veronica Rodriguez (Santiago, Chile/Liceo A-1310 Buin) earned a top-10 individual finish with a 16-over 158 while Sofia Saavedra (Barquisimeto, Venezuela/Dawere International) rounded out the team scoring with a 21st place finish.
Competing unattached for the Warriors in their collegiate debut, Bella Santesteban (Lewisville, TX/Lewisville) earned a 19th place finish after cutting off three strokes on day two. Mackenzie Reeves (Rogers, AR/Heritage Rogers) and Arianna Ramsey (Lewisville, TX/Lewisville) capped the Warriors' effort, placing 24th and 31st overall, respectively.
In total, five of the Warriors' individuals saw scoring improvements over the course of the final 18 holes of competition.
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WARRIORS WIN IT! The women of @IHCCgolf certainly know how to launch a brand-new program as the Warrior ladies have tasted victory in their first meet this afternoon at the @WPUAthletics Statesmen Invitational at Oskaloosa's Edmundson Golf Course. IHCC took home the team title… pic.twitter.com/V4yQnLT3HK
— IHCC Athletics (@IHCCAthletics) September 10, 2024
