Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's golf team fired a 613, the third lowest 36-hole score in school history, to tie for third place at the Central Region Preview Wednesday afternoon in Blue Springs, Mo.

The two-day, 19-team event was held at the par 72 Adams Pointe G.C. 

This was the season-opening event of the 2021-22 season but UNK's strong showing already helps NCAA Tournament chances come May. The Lopers finished ahead of six MIAA rivals, six schools from the Great American Conference (GAC) and three from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Head-to-head results is a key factor in determining the NCAA Super Regional qualifiers in the spring. 

Henderson (Ark.) State paced the field with a sizzling 595 (300-295) with Arkansas Tech the runner up with a (603; 303-300). UNK had rounds of 308 and 305 with MIAA rival Northeastern State carding a 303 in the second round to tie the Lopers for third. The 305 ranks eighth lowest in school history for 18 holes with the 308 tied for 11th. UNK shot a school-record 607 in this same tournament/course in the fall of 2019 and then a 609 at Awarii Dunes two weeks later.  

Individually, Colombian freshman Juliana Botero Molina tied for fourth with a 4-over 148 (75-73). She was the MIAA's top finisher thanks to five birdies and 25 pars. Her score ties for fourth best in Loper lore and is just three shots from tying the record. HSU's Grace Blunt (3-under 141) and Allie Bianchi (even-par 144) paced the field of an even 100 golfers.

Also cracking the top 12 for UNK was Puerto Rico senior Faviola Gonzalez and Kansas freshman Brooke King who both tied for 11th (152; 76-76). The 152 places each in the UNK all-time top 20 with Gonzalez having 25 pars and three birdies and King being even on par 3 holes. Finally, Kansas sophomore Allison Comer tied for 47th (161; 81-80), Arizona junior Paige Lucero tied for 64th (165; 83-82) and Bayard sophomore Avery Mitchell was 95th (181; 86-95) playing as an individual.

UNK heads to Minnesota for the Golden Bear Classic on Sept. 20-21.