Story and Stats Below
Recap courtesy of Kent State Athletic Communications
GROVE CITY, Ohio – For the 25th time in program history, the Kent State women’s golf program won the Mid-American Conference Championship on Tuesday to remain the only program in the league to ever hoist the trophy.
The Golden Flashes also claimed the individual title for the second year in a row, although this year the honor is shared by a pair of golfers. Sophomore Leon Takagi and senior Hester Sicking shared the top spot on the leaderboard, finishing the tournament 6-over par. Takagi has led the field all three days, while Sicking used an even-par 72, the low round of the day, to jump up three spots.
Sicking got off to a hot start in the final round, sitting a two-under par at the turn. She finished the day at even par, shooting even on seven of the final nine holes. She entered the clubhouse as the overall leader, but Takagi birdied three holes on the back nine, including the 17th and 18th, to earn a share of the title.
Veronika Kedronova two strokes behind the leaders, placing third overall at 8-over par. The freshman phenom shot a 4-over par 76 on the final day to round out the top-three.
After leading by just two strokes entering Tuesday’s final round, the Flashes came through when it mattered most, posting a low-round 13-over par as a squad. Kent State finished 11 strokes ahead of second-place Toledo.
Rounding out the Flashes lineup, Jennifer Gu had her strongest day of the tournament to tie for 25th place. Gu shot a 4-over par 76, scoring 1-under on the back nine thanks to birdies on the 14th and 16th. Kristen Belden finished 48th in her first MAC Championship.
Sicking, Takagi and Kedronova claimed three of the five spots on the MAC All-Tournament Team alongside Ball State’s Sarah Gallagher and Toledo’s Amelia Lee.
The Flashes have clinched a spot in the 2024 Division I Women’s Golf Championship and will find out their regional location during the selection show on Wednesday, April 24 at 2 p.m. Regional play gets underway on Monday, May 6.
Kent State Takes Home 2024 Women’s Golf Title – Mid-American Conference (getsomemaction.com)
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