Reedsburg, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse golf team finished tied for first at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championships (presented by Culver's) Sunday afternoon at Reedsburg Country Club. UWL (324-335-312) and UW-Whitewater (329-328-314) tied with a three-day total of 971.
UW-Whitewater claimed the league's championship and automatic bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships after winning a one-hole playoff over UWL by one stroke. The Warhawks finished with a team score of 18 while the Eagles totaled 19. The sudden-death playoff was limited to the teams using the five players who were designated as the conference team at the outset of the championship with the low four scores each team factored into the scoring.
UWL's
David Taebel was named the WIAC Kwik Trip Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the conference championships. It marked his first career recognition.
The Eagles' third round score of 312 on Sunday was a team season-best. UWL had shot 313 at the UW-Eau Claire Invitational on September 10.
UW-Stout placed third (353-336-313=1,002) in the final standings with UW-Eau Claire fourth (349-345-329=1,023) and UW-Stevens Point fifth (342-352-339=1,033). UW-River Falls finished sixth (355-350-338=1,043) while UW-Platteville was seventh (345-354-352=1,051) and UW-Oshkosh eighth (365-355-347=1,067).
UWL had three golfers finish in the top-eight individually. The Eagles'
Molly Larsen placed fourth overall with a three-day total of 237 (77-85-75) with
Maija Tanberg fifth at 239 (78-81-80) and
Andrea Schleeper tied for seventh at 244 (82-85-77).
Allison Balduzzi (88-87-81),
Sophie Denure (89-87-80),
Grace Ellison (87-84-85) and
Erin Rosencrantz (83-88-85) all tied for 18th individually with a three-round total of 256.
The Eagles'
Claire Kelbel tied for 29th with a score of 261 (87-91-83) with
Abby DeMoe tied 34th at 266 (86-94-86) and
Lauren Ambrookian tied for 40th at 269 (89-86-94). UWL's
Keila Kittelson tied for 63rd with a tournament total of 288 (98-95-95).
DeMoe was named to the All-WIAC Sportsmanship Team, chosen for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It includes one member from each school.
UW-Eau Claire's Lexi Meade won medalist honors Sunday with a total of 233 (79-78-76). A total of 76 golfers completed all three rounds.
UWL is in its fifth year of varsity competition since returning in 2018. The Eagles finished sixth at the 2019 WIAC Championships and seventh in 2018. Six current members on UWL's roster have played in the conference championships, including Larsen, Tanberg and Kittelson making their fourth career appearance. UWL had a pair of golfers finish in the top-10 last season, including Larsen who finished fifth overall and Schleeper who tied for seventh. Four other Eagles finished in the top-25, including Tanberg (13th), Denure (tied 18th), Rosencrantz (23rd) and DeMoe (25th).
UWL opens its 2023 spring schedule Saturday, April 1 at the Viterbo University (Wis.) Spring Invitational at Valley High Golf Course in Houston, Minnesota.
