The UNK women’s golf team posted a 54-hole score of 955 to place eighth at the 2025 MIAA Championships, held at Meadowlark Hills Golf Course in Kansas.
The 12-team tournament began Saturday with a practice round before competition opened Sunday. Players battled strong winds early before ideal conditions prevailed Tuesday. The par-71, 5,908-yard course yielded average scores of 82.06, 83.35, and 80.93 over the three rounds.
Last season at the MIAA Championships, which took place in Bolivar, Missouri, the Lopers finished 6th out of 11, with Juliana Botero Molina finishing first individually, shooting seven over par.
Molina, despite being injured, put together two good final rounds to give herself momentum going into regionals. Round one saw Molina shoot 11 over par, with round two at seven over, then five strokes better at two over in the final round of the championships.
“I tore my ACL over spring break, and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to compete at conference and regionals, but after a lot of hard work, I was able to play,” Molina said.
UNK improved each day, carding scores of 325, 322, and 308 to finish just six strokes out of fifth place. No. 21-ranked Central Missouri claimed the team title (916), while Northwest Missouri rallied for second (938).
“We had a slow start, but the way we finished showed our resilience,” said Shawn Rodehorst, Loper golf coach. “The team adjusted well, and our final-round 308 proves we can compete with anyone when we’re sharp.”
Colombian senior Juliana Botero Molina (73) and Kansas sophomore Liz Lyons (74) led UNK on Tuesday, cracking the top 11. Botero tallied three birdies and seven straight pars on the back nine, finishing tied for eighth (233). Lyons birdied her first three holes, tying for 11th (234).
“Juliana and Liz were outstanding today,” Rodehorst said. “They stayed patient and took advantage of scoring opportunities. That’s what you need in a championship event.”
Northeastern State’s Sam Maceli (229) edged Central Missouri’s Libby Green (230) by one stroke for medalist honors.
UNK’s Calie Dockter tied for 31st (243), while Sofia Wildeman placed 35th (244), and Sophia Coleman tied for 38th (246).
The Lopers are expected to qualify for the 18-team NCAA Central Regionals, which will be held May 5-7 in Edmond, Oklahoma, at Kickingbird G.C. Selections will be announced on April 28 on NCAA.com.
