Joplin, MO – For the second time in its first three collegiate outings, the Indian Hills Women's Golf squad captured the team and individual title as the Warriors ran away with the Evangel University Invitational. The Warriors were led by freshman Veronica Rodriguez's (Santiago, Chile/Liceo A-1310 Buin) medalist performance.
The Warriors, who brought home the 2024 Statesmen Invitational less than a month ago in their program debut, posted a 71-over 647 to win the two-day Evangel University Invitational by nine strokes. Indian Hills cut off 17 strokes in its final round of competition on Tuesday to run away from the field. The Warriors used round scores of 332-315 to defeat eight additional teams, including seven programs within the NAIA.
"We showed a lot of resiliency today," stated head coach Michael Shedd following the team's final 18 holes on Tuesday. "I'm very proud of this team and what they were able to accomplish."
Competing at Twin Hills Golf Club in Joplin, Rodriguez sat alone atop the 55-player leaderboard at the end of the tournament. The freshman posted an opening round 78 before carding a 75 in the final round, tied for the lowest round of the event. Rodriguez tallied a pair of birdies over the course of the final 18 holes to finish with a 9-over, 153, one stroke ahead of the runner-up from host Evangel.
Freshman Joska Nelis (Haarlem, Netherlands/Lyceum Sancta Maria) finished just two strokes off Rodriguez's top score with a 11-over, 155. Nelis sat in second place following day one after firing a 77 before carding a 78 on the final day. The freshman has now collected two top-three individual finishes in her first three collegiate tournaments.
Indian Hills saw three additional individuals place in the top-21 of the tournament. Freshman Taylor Pacheco (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian) shaved off 12 strokes in the final round with an impressive 78 to place 14th overall for the Warriors.
Competing as an individual, Bella Santesteban (Lewisville, TX/Lewisville) carded back-to-back rounds of 14-over to finish the event with a 28-over, 168, good enough for a 19th place finish. Sofia Saavedra (Barquisimeto, Venezuela/Dawere International) checked in at 21st overall for the Warriors with a 29-over while Mackenzie Reeves (Rogers, AR/Heritage Rogers) placed 30th overall. Freshman Arianna Ramsey (Lewisville, TX/Lewisville) capped the team scoring for the Warriors with a 41st place finish.
As a team, the Warriors led the field with a tournament-best 10 birdies while posting the fewest double bogeys among all nine teams. Indian Hills led the field on all Par 3 and Par 5 holes with average scores of 3.20 and 5.78, respectively.
Indian Hills returns to action October 14-15 with the TPC Deere Run Invitational in Silvis, IL.
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