Findlay's Petty Finishes as NCAA D2 National Runner Up

Posted: May 21, 2016

Courtesy of Kyle Niermann, Findlay Assistant Director for Media Relations

AURORA -- The University of Findlay women's golf team completed the 2016 NCAA Division II National Championship on May 21 at the CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora, Colo. The Oilers shot a 307 on the final day and ended the tournament in ninth place with a 72-hole score of 1,206 (299, 303, 297, 307), which established a new school record.

The Oilers were led by senior Kasey Petty, who finished as the NCAA Division II national runner-up. Petty was tied with Grand Valley State's Gabrielle Shipley at 5-under par for the tournament, but Shipley birdied her final hole to secure a national title.

The Groveport, Ohio native quickly took a lead on the fourth day playing off the backside with two birdies and an eagle during her first six holes. She then birdied the seventh hole after a bogey on six to get to 5-under. She closed her round with two straight pars while Shipley birdied two of her final four holes.

Petty ended the fourth day of competition with a 2-under par score of 70. For the tournament, Petty carded a 5-under par score of 283. The 72-hole score of 283 established a new school record. She also tallied 17 birdies at the tournament, which ranked second behind Shipley's 19.

Junior Shelby Warner carded a 3-over par score of 75 on Saturday and ended the event in a tie for 20th place with a 299 (75, 76, 73, 75). The 299 shot by Warner is the second-lowest 72-hole score in school history and her 48 pars during the tournament ranked fourth among participants.

Freshman Makenzie Torres posted a 77 on day four and ended the tournament in a tie for 39th with a score of 305 (77, 76, 75, 77). She finished the event with 13 birdies, the fifth-best total at the championship tournament.

Freshman Samantha Hatter had an 85 on Saturday and finished 64th with a 319 (74, 80, 80, 85) while sophomore Kelsey Koesters wrapped up the event with a score of 337 (84, 87, 81, 85) to tie for 71st place.

Rollins College captured the national championship by firing a 1,173 (290, 288, 293, 302).