BY PAM RODGERS STAFF WRITER
“Over the four rounds we had solid performances overall from the team. They were the favorites going in and the women handled the pressure and played really well,” head coach Monica Severson said.
The No. 6 Knights established themselves as early leaders from the beginning of the tournament and held a comfortable lead going into the last round on Saturday already ahead by 46 strokes.
“On Friday, we played a solid round and other teams struggled. That gave us such a huge lead going into to Saturday and the kids could just go out and play,” Severson said.
Three Wartburg women brought home all-conference honors as they placed in the top 10. Steph Burns finished second with shooting a 314. Kate Thompson captured fourth with a 324 and Daina Deery was sixth with 328.
“I am happy for Steph and Kate and Daina for being able to play well enough to be all-conference,” Severson said. “All three of them led the team and were the reasons we were able to win the championship.”
Ellen Rickert just missed all-conference honors as she tied for 10th but slipped to 11th in a sudden death playoff. Wartburg’s fifth golfer Paige Klosterman, tied for 12th with a 342.
The win secures the Knights an automatic bid for 2009 Div. III National Tournament to be held in May in St. Louis. Last year’s national tournament was held in Waverly at Centennial Oaks Golf Course. The Knights finished 10th as a team and Thompson finished 12th for the Knights.
“It was exciting to get a chance to get that automatic qualifier spot for nationals and it gives them something to look forward to,” Severson said.