Women's Golf wins OAC Fall Championships, Cranmer takes home medalist honors
By Bud Denega
WEST LAFAYETTE — The Ohio Northern women's golf team one-upped itself during the second round of the OAC Fall Championships Sunday. After the Polar Bears staked themselves to a sizable lead following Round 1, they increased said lead en route to a team title with a score of 676, which was 18 shots better than second-place Otterbein.
"Today's win is a great step for this very young program," ONU head coach Chad Bucci said. "I liked improving our team score in the second round. I was real happy with how the team stayed focused, but we need to be mentally prepared a little better, so we can handle certain shots and be confident."
The Polar Bears improve to 16-9 on the season.
Junior Lydia Cranmer (Farmington Hills, Mich./Ladywood) added to the applaud-worthy day for ONU, as she claimed the individual title. She fired a second-round 80 to win with a two-round score of 161, two shots clear of the field.
Junior Annika Neumann (Valley City/Avon) placed second for the Polar Bears, and in a tie for third overall, with a final score of 168. She carded a second-round 83.
Freshman Torrie Smith (Russiaville, Ind./Western) registered a second-round 90 en route a final score of 173. Fellow freshman Meghan Utterdyke (Franklin/Fenwick) was right behind her with a final tally of 174 following a final-round 84. Jessica Tubbs (Holland/Springfield) rounded out ONU's team score with a final-round 94, which brought her total to 197.
Freshman Olivia Galigher (Bolivar/Tuscarawas) was Northern's best individual, as her second-round 89 brought her final score to 184. Senior Taylor Daniel carded a final-round 93 to finish with a 186, and freshman Isabella Orofino (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) fired a second-round 91, making her final score 191.
The Polar Bears will take a couple weeks off before closing the book on their fall schedule at the Lourdes Fall Invitational Oct. 14.
Team Standings
1. Ohio Northern 339-337—676, 2. Otterbein 355-339—694, 3. Mount Union 361-354—715, 4. Capital 363-367—730, t5, Marietta 364-380—744, t5. Heidelberg 376-368—744, 7. Baldwin Wallace 375-371—746, 8. Muskingum 405-387—792,
Top 5 Individuals
1. Lydia Cranmer (ONU) 81-80—161, 2. Emma Jeffries (Mount Union) 84-79—163, t3. Annika Neumann (ONU) 85-83—168, t3. Beth Lebar (Marietta) 83-85 —168, 5. Lyndsay Blum (Otterbein) 84-85—169.
Ohio Northern Individual Results
1. Lydia Cranmer 81-80—161, t3. Annika Neumann 85-83—168, 8. Torrie Smith 83-90—173, 9. Meghan Utterdyke 90-84—174, 33. Jessica Tubbs 103-94—197.
Ohio Northern "B" Individual Results
t22. Olivia Galigher 95-89—184, 25. Tayor Daniel 93-92—185, 29. Isabella Orofino 100-91—191.