Loyola’s women’s golf team finished in seventh place out of 10 teams at the Missouri Valley Conference championship tournament that wrapped up April 21 in Burlington, Iowa.
The Ramblers finished with a final score of 965 (304-329-332). Freshman Jessie Staed led Loyola, tying for 15th overall and finishing with a score of 239 (73-85-81). She also posted a one-over-par 73 on the first day of the tournament, which tied her for second to that point.
Fellow freshman Summer Moser finished two strokes behind Staed in 18th place with a score of 241 (79-82-80).
Wichita State won the championship, led by first-place finisher Alejandra Arellano.
Going into the spring season, Loyola’s Director of Golf Kyle Stefan understood that the women’s golf team was packed with young talent. Because of the players’ inexperience, Stefan tapered his expectations.
“We knew we were going to be young,” said Stefan. “The expectation at the beginning of the year was to be competitive with the Missouri Valley teams and to compete and try to win some tournaments outside of that to make us ready for what we’ll face at the end of the year.”
Despite their youth, the Ramblers still found success through the season. Loyola finished in the top half of every tournament it participated in except for the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate. The South Carolina tournament in March was the Ramblers’ first of the spring season.
That poor result mostly had to do with cold weather. Being a northern golf school, the Ramblers do not have a consistent opportunity to practice on a grass course from October to March.
Although Staed is a Green Bay, Wisconsin native who is used to keeping her clubs in storage, it still took her some time to get back into the swing of things at the beginning of March.
“I know I struggled with my swing a little bit coming back,” the Ad/PR major said. “It was difficult, but as the season progressed everyone was getting their games back.”
Staed said the team chemistry and young talent made it possible for the Ramblers to quickly improve their play.
“We work well together. We work hard on and off the golf course,” she said.
Although the team is sure to be disappointed with its seventh place finish after a strong spring season, Stefan is satisfied with the Ramblers’ performance.
“I’m proud of this team for getting us in a position that we have never been in during our time in this conference,” Stefan said to the Athletic Department. “We played in the final group for the last two days and ultimately can take a lot away from the week. I’m also proud of Alex [Meyers] and her career and contributions that she has made to our golf program.”
Meyers is the only golfer graduating this year.
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