May 12, 2009

For the first time in the program’s history, the Upper Iowa women’s golf team will be competing as a team on the national tournament stage. After setting a new low round record of 302 in the final round of the NCAA Super Regional Three on May 6, the Peacocks extended their lead over conference-foe Concordia-St. Paul to 17 strokes and won the regional by posting a three-day total score of 930. With the tournament victory, the Peacocks extended their winning streak to six straight tournaments without being defeated.

Rochelle Schmidt earned medalist honors at the Super Regional with a 220 (+4) over the three rounds, while sister Rachael Schmidt placed 4th with a 230 (+14). Laura Taylor led the Peacocks on day three with a one-over par, 73, to tie for 7th place (238 (+22)). McKenzie Holthaus played well in her first regional event carding a total of 244 (+28) to tie for 13th. Jill Preeshl rounded out the UIU fivesome with a 249 (+33) to tie for 22nd. The team ran home 11 birdies in the round to counter their four double bogeys. No Peacock golfer scored any worse than a double bogey in the final round.

Upper Iowa is one of 12 teams competing this week for the national title at the Findlay Country Club in Findlay, Ohio. The field of 72 golfers includes 12 teams and an additional 12 individuals who qualified from the Super Regionals. The top four teams will receive trophies and the top ten individuals will be named to the NCAA All-American Team.

While the team is making their first appearance led by Northern Sun Player of the Year Rochelle Schmidt, her sister Rachael will be making her fourth appearance at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Last season, she finished in a tie for 15th while putting together the best four rounds in her extensive Championships history. Her 76.5 stroke average bested her All-American average two years ago by over two strokes a round. She finished tied for 10th as a freshman in 2006 to earn All-American honors by compiling a 54-hole total of 236 (78.6 average). As a sophomore, Schmidt finished 32nd in 2007 with a 72-hole total of 317 (79.2 average).

The Peacocks tee off from the 10th hole to start their first round of action tomorrow. Freshman McKenzie Holthaus tees off first at 7:55 a.m., and is followed at 10-minute intervals by Jill Preeshl, Laura Taylor, Rochelle Schmidt and Rachael Schmidt.