The NIU women’s golf team concluded its 2011-12 season with an eighth-place finish Sunday at the 2012 Mid-American Conference Women’s Golf Championships at Hawthorns Golf & Country Club in Fishers, Ind.
Senior Kelsie Passolt (Hayward, Wis./Hayward) finished her NIU career on high note, turning in her lowest score of the season for a three-round event carding a 223 (78-80-75) to tie for eighth place, a career-best finish at the MAC Championships.
Passolt’s final round 75 was her lowest round of the season, while her 223 is her lowest score at a MAC Championship.
“Kelsie had her best tournament of the spring if not the whole year,” said NIU head coach Pam Tyska. “They’re supposed to get better the longer they and that’s the way it rolled out for Kelsie. She couldn’t be more deserving.
“She played well at the Falcon Invitational and in qualifying. Her confidence was as high as I’ve ever seen it. She played with great confidence. She made great shot selections. Today, I did not see her miss a makeable put. It was one of those rounds you don’t want to end.”
The Huskies posted their best score of the weekend and the fifth-best score of the day, shooting a final round 325 to finish the three-round event with a 999. NIU tied with Bowling Green (999), and finished six shots behind Ohio for seventh place. Kent State won the event with a 908, while Jenna Hague of Ball State won the playoff with Piyathida Chaiyapan of Toledo to earn the individual championship.
Junior Allie Parthie (Marinette, Wis./Marinette) finished in 28th after posting a 245 (84-79-82), while Jenny Niemiec (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) rallied in her final round to finish in 30th. Niemiec shaved 12 strokes off her second round 89 to finish with a 246 (80-89-77).
Freshmen Taylor Ellett (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) and Allison Van Heuklom (Middleton, Wis./Middleton) finished their first MAC Championships in 44th and 45th respectively. Ellett shot a 275 (91-93-91), while Van Heuklom posted a 287 (95-96-96).
For more information on NIU women’s golf and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.