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Peacocks Rally for Team Berth to Nationals Falls One Stroke Short

Rachael Schmidt Qualifies for Third Straight National Championships



Rachael Schmidt is headed to her third straight National Championship as an individual.

May 8, 2008

GRAND FORKS, N.D.--Led by individual champion Sara Wolfe, Nebraska-Omaha cruised to a 27-stroke victory at the 2008 NCAA Division II Women's Golf North Region Championship today at King's Walk Golf Course and earned a national championship berth in the process.

Augustana, which had entered today's final round in last place, shot a 308 to claim second place by one stroke over Minnesota State and Upper Iowa, earning the other team berth for the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship

Truman State's Kaytie Spangler (75-76-73--224) and Upper Iowa's Rachael Schmidt (78-73-73--224), who each tied for second place, captured the two individual berths for nationals. Spangler and Schmidt finished the three-day tournament at eight over par.

Minnesota State entered the day in second place with a 10-shot lead over Upper Iowa, but saw a potential national berth slip away after shooting a final-round 325, the highest single-round score in the entire tournament.

Upper Iowa held a four-stroke advantage over Minnesota State for second place with just six holes to play. Both Truman State and Augustana were close behind but only had three holes left to play. Augustana played the final three holes at 5-over as a team, while Upper Iowa played the holes at 9-over par. The tournament was so close that second place and the tie for fifth place was only separated by six strokes.

Rachael Schmidt led the Peacocks with a 73 for the second day in a row fueled by five birdies in the final round. Rochelle Schmidt played very well over the final 18 as she carded a 75 to finish the regional in 8th place. Jill Preeshl turned in an 83 and finished the regional in a tie for 18th thanks to her first two days of scoring. Laura Taylor and Lindsey Holien both shot 84 on the final day for UIU.

UNO, Augustana, Spangler and Schmidt now prepare for the 2008 NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship, which will be held May 13-16 in Houston, Texas.

The Peacock golf team will work hard this summer and should be in contention again next year as they look for Upper Iowa's first berth to a National Tournament in a women's sport. The team only graduates one senior from this year's team.