BLANCO, Texas -- The Schreiner University women's golf team built on its first round two stroke lead and pulled away from Trinity University to claim the program's first-ever SCAC championship Tuesday afternoon at Vaaler Creek Golf Club. The Mountaineers posted a team total of 667 (+91) to earn their first conference title since winning the American Southwest Conference championship in 2010. Official Championship Website | Results | Day Two Photo Gallery | Awards Photo Gallery | Day Two Video Recap
Schreiner was consistent throughout the tournament, shooting a 328 (+40) in Tuesday's final thanks in part to a 77 (+5) from senior Melanie Dean. Fellow senior Maddie Scheidler shot an 80 while sophomore Kaycee Bankert, the individual leader headin into Tuesday's final round, shot an 85. She led the field with 21 pars over the course of the 36-hole event.
Additionally, the Mountaineers were phenomenal in Par 3 and Par 5 scoring, shooting +21 in both categories to lead the field. They also blew away the field in pars, leading the way with 81.
The 2014 SCAC champions, 15th-ranked Trinity University, finished second overall with a team score of 678 (+102). Freshman Shelby DeVore led the way in the final round, shooting a 79 (+7) for a weekend total of 163. For her efforts, DeVore was named SCAC Women's Golf Freshman of the Year.
Junior Brigette Lee, the conference's 2013 individual champion, duplicated her first round score of 85 to finish in the top 10 with a total score of 170.
Southwestern University had a huge day, moving into third place with a second round score of 340 (+52) and a total score of 713 (+137). Senior Lauren Boone made her final round of collegiate golf a memorable one, shooting a 74 (+2) to post a two-day total of 161, good enough to secure indivdual medalist honors and SCAC Golfer-of-the-Year. The individual title came down to the final hole as Boone was down a stroke and already in the clubhouse. However, after a double bogey by the two co-leaders, Boone emerged on top to secure individual top honors. She finished with three birdies on the day, including two on the back nine.
Southwestern has now won back-to-back individual titles with Ali Walden earning the title a year ago.
Pirate juniors Bernice Leonard and Keeley Coburn each shot 82 (+10) on Tuesday to earn top 10 spots. Coburn led the tournament in birdies with four.
Rounding out the team standings, Texas Lutheran University finished with a two-day total of 732 (+156) - led led by junior Gabby Rangel, who shot a two-day score of 173.Centenary College finished in fifth with a team score of 739 (+163). Two Ladies finished in the top three as sophomore Taylor Thompson and junior Jamie Wright each shot a two-day total of 163.
Schreiner, Trinity, and Southwestern each had three individuals earn spots on the all-conference team while Centenary had a pair earn honors.
Several SCAC schools and individuals now await a possible bid to the NCAA Division III Championships, to be held May 12-15 at Howey-in-the Hills, Florida.
2015 All-SCAC Women's Golf First Team
1. Lauren Boone, Southwestern - 87-74--161
2. Kaycee Bankert, Schrener - 77-85--162
T3. Shelby DeVore, Trinity - 84-79--163
T3. Melanie Dean, Schreiner - 79-83--163
T3. Taylor Thompson, Centenary - 84-79--163
T3. Jamie Wright, Centenary - 83-80--163
2015 All-SCAC Women's Golf Second Team
7. Maddie Scheidler, Schreiner - 87-80--167
8. Bernice Leonard, Southwestern - 86-82--168
9. Keeley Coburn, Southwestern - 87-82--169
10. Brigette Lee, Trinity - 85-85--170
11. Hanna Niner, Trinity - 84-88--172
2015 SCAC Women's Golf Player-of-the-Year
Lauren Boone, Southwestern University
2015 SCAC Women's Golf Freshman-of-the-Year
Shelby DeVore, Trinity University
For a complete wrap-up of today's final round, including interviews with the winners and a Day Two photo gallery, click here for the official website of the 2015 SCAC Women's Golf Championship.
