After impressive performances in their last two invites, the Gusties earned some attention within the conference and at the national level. The regional rankings were released on April 14th by the NCAA and Gustavus was listed as No. 5 in the Midwest region and No. 21 overall.
On April 14th, the women’s golf team teed off at the Bethel invite for its second invite of the spring season. The Gusties were coming off a second place finish at the Washington University invite in St. Louis, Missouri on April 8 and 9.
The team battled through day one of the 36-hole event with challenging competitors, such as ranked Bethel University and Carleton College. The team was composed of Seniors Mae Meierhenry and Mallory Drenttel, Juniors Jessica Nelson and McKenzie Swenson, and First-year Kristen Cash.
Meierhenry led the team through day one with a score of 73, followed by Nelson who hit 79. First-year cash posted the third best score for the Gusties with 81, followed by Swenson with a score of 83 and Drenttel with a score of 86.
“By far the best round of golf we have had this year as a team. Everyone played well and we played with confidence. I am very proud and looking forward to teeing it up again next weekend.” — Coach Moe
Head coach Scott Moe said he was impressed with the team’s performances and resilience in the first day of the invite.
“Mae put together a great round again, 73 was a really good score,” Moe said. “Others had a bad hole or two, but we were really close. We battled hard and bounced back after a bad swing.”
Meierhenry earned her second MIAC athlete of the week title this season from her performance in the Bethel invite. Her first athlete of the week award was due to a similarly impressive performance at the Washington University Invite the week before.
The Gusties competed in match play on the second day of the invite against No. 12 ranked Carleton College. The Gusties lost the battle for the Bethel invite title with a score of 3-2. Meierhenry lost two down, Nelson lost two and one, and Cash lost three and two. Swenson won two and one while Drenttel won three and two.
Moe said this performance was very memorable and was impressed with the team’s ability to challenge high-level competition.
“By far the best round of golf we have had this year as a team,” Moe said. “Our five players combined for +15 for the day. Everyone played well and we played with confidence. Carleton is a very good team, ranked No. 12 in the country, and we hung with them until the final hole. I am very proud and looking forward to teeing it up again next weekend.”
Women’s golf is back in action on April 22nd in Victoria, Minnesota when they compete in the Bethel’s Royal Match.
