Maryville, MO – For the first time in program history, the Indian Hills Women's Golf team captured the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Women's Golf Midwest District Championship. The Warriors ran away with the title, shooting a 51-over, 627 to win by 17 strokes.
In just its second year in existence, the Warriors made history yet again with the team's first-ever postseason championship. Indian Hills posted round scores of 313-314 to finish ahead of runner-up and Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) foe Iowa Western Community College.
In addition to the first-ever team title, Poppy Norcott (Wiltshire, United Kingdom/Hartpury College) brought home the program's first-ever individual District championship as the sophomore sat atop the final leaderboard with a 7-over, 151. Norcott finished four strokes ahead of teammate and District runner-up Jade Blakeley (St. Michael, Barbados/Rabun Gap Nacoochee) who fired an 11-over, 155.
"I'm so thankful for this team," stated head coach Michael Shedd. "They made history today, and we're excited to carry this momentum into the National Championship."
Sophomore Mackenzie Reeves (Rogers, AR/Heritage Rogers) posted a fifth-place showing to continue an impressive stretch of play late in the season for the Warriors. Reeves posted a 14-over, 158 while fellow sophomore Taylor Pacheco (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian) posted a strong finish to the tournament to finish in sixth place. Pacheco shaved 10 strokes off from her opening round to climb the leaderboard on the final day.
Sophomore Sofia Saavedra (Barquisimeto, Venezuela/Dawere International) placed eighth overall in the individual standings with a 23-over, 167 for her third top-10 finish of the year.
Norcott fired the two lowest rounds of the tournament, posting an opening round 75 before closing out round two with a 76. The sophomore fired four birdies on the week, including three in the final round alone. Pacheco tied Norcott for the most birdies throughout the two-day event.
Blakeley proved to be a consistent presence throughout the tournament, firing an opening round 75 to earn her third top-three finish in the team's last four outings.
With the win, the Warriors automatically qualify for the upcoming NJCAA DI Women's Golf National Championship May 11-14 at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, IL.
In addition to the five individuals who qualified for the tournament, freshman Yebin Yun (Sejong, South Korea/Lakota West) qualified for the upcoming National Championship as an alternate for the Warriors.
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