National bid safe bet for Gustie golfers

The Gustavus Women’s Golf team has begun the season with three straight first- place finishes at the Augustana Invitational, St. Thomas Invitational and Carleton Invitational.

Sophomore Taylor Drenttel chips her ball from just off the green. Drenttel earned MIAC Women’s Golfer of the week by winning the Carleton Invitational. Sports Information.

Since the season began this spring, the Women’s Golf team scored low and took home trophies. They started April with a bang as they placed first on the opening day of the Augustana Invitational. Junior Captain Katie Schenfeld placed first individually, shooting a 73 (+1). Closely behind in second place was Sophomore Taylor Drenttel with 74 (+2), and in eighth place with 77 (+5) was Senior Captain Kali Griggs.

“Our golf team is strong,” Griggs said. “So far this spring season, we’ve played really well. [We’ve been] consistent and rewarded with victories.”

The Gusties finished out the Augustana Invitational in first place. The Augustana Invitational was a Division II match, and with a victory the Gusties proved they belong at Nationals once again this year.

Following the Augustana Invitational, Drenttel and Schenfeld were named the Co-MIAC Golfers of the Week. Both athletes finished the invite in a three-way tie for first with a total of 149 (+5).

In Becker, Minn. on April 19 and 20, the Gusties took away another first-place title at the St. Thomas Invitational. The team score on Sunday was 304, which was the third lowest in the invite’s history. Schenfeld again placed first, while Drenttel took third and Griggs took sixth. Sophomores Ann Jackson and Rikka Holiday rounded out the top ten with a ninth and tenth place finish, respectively.

Next, the women traveled to Carleton on April 24 and 25. They did not come out on top on Saturday, but that did not stop them from again taking home the trophy on Sunday. Drenttel took home the first place medal, and Schenfeld and Jackson took fourth and sixth, respectively.

The Gusties have one tournament remaining before the National bid, and they have high hopes. “Our sights are set on the National Tournament now, and our big goal is to win that tournament, which we have never done before,” Katie Schenfeld said.

With Schenfeld and Drettnel taking MIAC Golfers of the Week title twice each this season, there is no doubt that the team will place well in the National Championships.