(Peru, Neb.) – In their first year in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat women's golf team earned a second place finish.
 
This is believed to be the highest finish ever for a women's golf team at Peru State College.
 
Avila University captured the team championship at the Hail Ridge Golf Course in Boonville, Mo., while Megan Miehe of Culver-Stockton College claimed the medalist honors.
 
 Bobcat golf coach Brett Hahn was very pleased with his team's performance.  Hahn said, “We came into the HAAC Conference Tournament with a very positive attitude. The team knew the weather wasn't going to be very cooperative, but it didn't diminish our confidence one bit. This was the most focused I've seen my team the entire season. I believe the reasons for this was we knew our goal was to play well in our very first HAAC Championship was about to be achieved.”
 
Hahn continued, “The entire tournament played like a highlight reel of everything that we have had stacked against us this spring. From the weather, injuries, and a few mental mistakes, it really could have taken us out of the running. I could not be more proud of the way the girls kept fighting throughout day one. Nothing has come easy for the girls and it showed once more when we had to have a sudden death playoff against Baker University. We showed the type of focus and poise it takes to play well in a pressure situation and beating a great golf team in Baker just adds to the accomplishment. Our second place finish is the culmination of a lot of hard work! It has been a great first year in the HAAC and we are only looking to go up from here!”
 
The Bobcats finished with a team score of 730 for the two days and actually finished in a tie for second with Baker University.  In a playoff, the Bobcats took second by three strokes.
 
Avila finished the tourney with a team score of 715.  Following PSC and Baker were:  fourth – Culver-Stockton -750, fifth – Graceland University – 758, and sixth – Central Methodist – 788.
 
The 'Cats had three medalists and were led by Jordan Schaardt (Humboldt) who finished third with a two-day total of 169, which was just six strokes behind Miehe and five behind second place.  Schaardt shot an 83 the first day and came back with an 86 the second day.
 
Hahn said this regarding Schaardt, “Once again Jordan showed why she is the captain of our team. She has been our rock all year long and the HAAC Tournament was no exception.  Jordan has been battling injuries all year and during day one, she experienced once more a shoulder injury.  She kept battling and finished with an 82. Her pure athletic ability and just plain guts was what carried her to a 3rd place finish overall.”
 
Courtney Musgrave (Omaha) finished just one stroke behind Schaardt at 170, which was good for fourth place.  Musgrave had rounds of 87 and 83.
 
On Musgrave, Hahn stated, “Courtney played her best tournament since becoming a Bobcat! After getting off to a less than stellar start on day one, Courtney turned to the back nine and posted a career best 38 to post an 87. She kept the momentum rolling on day two and posted another career best, this time an 18 hole best, 83! This placed her fourth overall in the tournament. Courtney also was named to the HAAC All-Conference team! Her performance is only going to springboard her for better things to come next year!”
 
Finishing in a tie for eighth was Katie Potter (Omaha).  Potter shot a two-day score of 180.  On Monday, Potter shot a 92 and finished the second day with an 88.
 
“Katie had her highest finish of the year finishing eighth,” noted Hahn. He continued, “She showed great positivity both days and was a constant bright spot for her teammates. Katie recorded the only chip in for the Bobcat team this year when she holed out for a birdie on the ninth hole!”


 Jacey Stoner's (Alda) score of 211 was the other one figuring in the team's total.  Stoner had rounds of 102 and 109 and finished 25^th overall.
 
Regarding Stoner and her performance, Hahn said, “Overall the most improved player on the entire team.  Jacey showed just how hard she has worked this year by playing some pretty solid golf. The extremely wet course got the best of her on a few holes but she never let it get her down. This year is only serving as motivation for her to continue to get better going into her senior season.”
 
Also golfing for the Bobcats was Ellen Larsen (Lincoln) who had rounds of 103 and 112 for a 215 total.  Larsen finished 27^th in the individual rankings.
 
Hahn had this to say about Larsen, “Ellen would be the first to admit this isn't how she envisioned her HAAC Tournament going. While she didn't perform to her expectations, she did keep a positive attitude the entire tournament. A natural leader, Ellen kept the spirits up for every one of her teammates. She showed on quite a few holes just how good she can be, but just as with Jacey the overall wetness of the course proved to be a little too daunting.”
 
On the entire year, Hahn concluded, “Whether or not this was the best finish ever by a women's golf team at PSC, I am very happy and could not be any more proud of my girls.  They have accomplished a great deal in my first year as their coach.  From breaking our team record for a low on 18 holes twice to now a second place finish in our first appearance in the HAAC tournament, I am very excited to start up again next year!”