Shelton State Set for NJCAA National Tournament in Boone, IA
Oxford, AL- The Shelton State Lady Buccaneers took home it's first ever NJCAA Women's South District Championship Thursday at Cider Ridge Golf Club in Oxford, AL. It was seventh win of the season for the #1 Bucs and automatically qualified them for the NJCAA National Championship.
Shelton State led after day 1, shooting 316 (+28) to lead Snead State by 25 shots and Jefferson State by 31. Columbus State University signee Peyton Maraman fired a 1 under par 71 to lead round 1, with freshman Katie Hallmark in second with a 75. Jordan Ransdell shot 82, Ashlee Allen 88, and Sawyer Hobbs 89.
The final round saw the Lady Buccaneers improve and extend their lead on the way to the championship. The Bucs shot a 22 over par 310 to pull away from the field. Hallmark, playing her best tournament of the year, captured Low Medalist honors with 1 over 73 for a two-day total of 148. Maraman tied for second, and made the All-Tournament team, with an 80 (151). Ransdell also made the All-Tournament team, finishing fifth with a 79 (161). Hobbs improved to a 78 (167), and Allen shot 81 (169). The highlight of the day came from Allen when she hit her first ever hole in one on the 135 yard par 3 seventeenth. Snead State were runners-up, with Jefferson State and Wallace State finishing third and fourth respectively, with all three qualifying for the national tournament. Southern Union and Northwest Mississippi received at-large bids thus putting six teams and two individuals into the national tournament field.
"Needless to say, I'm quite proud of this team! We did not play very well last year at districts, and I think that has bothered them since last April. After winning the Conference Championship again, they were really ready to get this win," said head coach Chris Sanford. The girls played pretty solid the first day, especially Peyton with a 71 and Katie shooting 75. Jordan hung in there, and Ashlee and Sawyer played a little better than their score. I really liked how they improved the next day. Katie obviously played very well in the final round and really scored well both days on the back nine. It was a great win and confidence boost heading into the national tournament. Peyton had played pretty well but just had two bad holes that hurt. Jordan (79), Sawyer (78), and Ashlee (81) all improved from day 1, and that should give them momentum going forward. I told them before conference that it was one championship tournament at a time. Focus only on the one in front of us. So far, they are two for two."
Shelton State will now head to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Boone, IA, May 13-16 at Cedar Pointe Golf Club. The field will feature the top 15 teams from around the country along with a handful of individual qualifiers all vying to be crowned National Champion. The team leaves on May 10, with a practice round May 12, and then four straight days of competition. The Lady Bucs enter the tournament at #1.
"We are very excited to head to Iowa and compete for a national championship. These seven young ladies have done everything they have been asked to do, and they have had a very successful year. I feel like they are playing good golf but also hitting the consistency they need to give themselves a chance at the big trophy. Nerves will be a factor for all teams, and I just hope we play well enough to be in the mix midday on Friday. Go Bucs!"