Minnesota State Just Misses NCAA DII Tourney, But Carlson Advances

MUSKOGEE, Okla. -- Southwestern Oklahoma State posted the lowest score in each of the last two rounds earlier this week in the Women's NCAA Division II Central Regional on the way to a first-place finish in the team competition. The Bulldogs shot 297 on the final day, which gave them a three-day total of 893.

Arkansas Tech, which led after two rounds, closed with a 304 and finished four behind at 897, 16 strokes ahead of third-place Northeastern State. 

Minnesota State matched the 304 by Arkansas Tech. That was the second-best team total of the day, and it moved the Mavericks up from sixth into a tie for fourth, along with Central Missouri. Four teams advance from each region to the NCAA DII Championships, May 14-18 at PGA National Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach, Fla. 

So Minnesota State and Central Missouri played off for the last spot, and Central Missouri won on the third extra hole. 

The Mavericks didn't get entirely shut out, however. Alissa Carlson, a sophomore from Chanhassen, shot 72 on the final day and moved up to eighth place individually with a 54-hole total of 227. That was good enough to qualify her for Muskogee. The top four players who are not members of an advancing team all earned tickets to Muskogee.

Peerada Piddon of Arkansas Tech was the medalist. She opened with what turned out to be the low score of the week, a 1-under-par 70, then duplicated it the next day and added a 76 for an aggregate of 216 (3 over). Shi Qing Ong of Missouri Western State tied for second with Southwestern Oklahoma State's Gloria Choi at 218.    

Minnesota State earned a place in the regional by winning the NSIC tournament. In doing so, the Mavericks ended the nine-year reign of Augustana. 

WOMEN'S COLLEGE GOLF

NCAA Division II Central Regional

At Muskogee Country Club

Par 71, 5,892 yards

Muskogee, Okla. 

Final results (top 4 teams qualify for the NCAA DII Championships, May 14-18 at PGA National Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach, Fla.)

1. SW Oklahoma State       305-291-297--893

2. Arkansas Tech                299-294-304--897

3. Northeastern State         302-304-307--913

T4. Central Missouri           312-311-308--931 (won playoff with Minnesota State on 3rd extra hole)

T4. Minnesota State           317-310-304--931

6. Central Oklahoma           312-314-309--935

7. Henderson State             318-308-311--937

8. Lindenwood                     310-317-314--941

9. Southern Nazarene         320-309-313--942

10. Nebraska Kearney        318-312-326--956

11. Missouri Western State  320-319-319--958

12. Oklahoma Baptist          321-321-322--964

Individuals (the top 4 individuals not on an advancing team also qualify for the NCAA DII Championships)

1. Peerada Piddon, Arkansas Tech        70-70-76--216

T2. Shi Qing Ong, Mo. Western State     75-71-72--218

T2. Gloria Choi, SW Oklahoma State      73-72-73--218

8. Alissa Carlson, Minnesota State       79-79-72--227

What it took: 228 (4-way tie for 9th) 

T15. Hannah Hankinson, Augustana      80-76-75--231

T19. Maddy Messin, Minn. State             81-75-77--233

T29. Abbe Partington, Minn. State         81-78-77--236

T33. Maddy Schintz, Minn. State            81-78-78--237 

Haley Tollette, Minn. State                      79 -- injured