Women's Golf shatters 54-hole school record, remains in second place after Day 2 of 2023 OAC Championships
By Tim Glon
WEST LAFAYETTE — The Ohio Northern women's golf team shattered the school's 54-hole record by 15 strokes and remains in second place after the second day of the 2023 Ohio Athletic Conference Championships on a cold and rainy Saturday at River Greens Golf Course.
The Polar Bears (71-11 overall), who are ranked No. 27 nationally by GolfStat.com, carded a 311-326-324—961 for the first 54 holes of the 72-hole tournament.
The 961 surpassed the previous 54-hole record of 976 set at last year's OAC Championships.
Individually, junior Grace Honigford (West Chester/Lakota East) broke her own 54-hole school record with a 77-79-75—231 and is tied for second out of 44 golfers.
The two-time defending champion will enter the final round locked into a three-way battle for Medalist honors with Emma McGreal (230) and Becky Williams (231) of Otterbein.
Freshman Marisa Alfes (Bellbrook) moved up one spot into fourth place eight shots off the lead with a 76-81-81—238.
Sophomore Amelia Burger (Centerville) moved up one place to sixth with a 78-81-81—240 and senior Isabella Orofino (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) is 10th with an 80-85-89—254.
The top 14 players and ties after 72 holes earn All-OAC honors.
Senior Torrie Smith had a big day, moving up 10 spots, and stands 16th with a 95-89-87—271. She enters the final round just six shots out of All-OAC recognition.
No. 28 Otterbein leads the team standings by 23 shots over ONU with a 311-314-313—938 - a full 38 shots better than the previous OAC record of 976 set by both ONU and OU last year.
The two teams were tied with 311s after 18 holes Friday morning, but OU grabbed the lead over the first nine holes of the second round on Friday afternoon.
The teams will play the final 18 holes on Sunday.
Mount Union is in third place 122 shots back with a 352-354-354—1060.
The OAC Tournament Champion will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships May 9-12 at Howey-In-The-Hills, Fla.
Team Standings
1. Otterbein 311-314-313—938, 2. Ohio Northern 311-326-324—961, 3. Mount Union 352-354-354—1060, 4. Heidelberg 354-356-362—1072, 5. Muskingum 374-361-356—1091, 5. John Carroll 364-365-376—1105, 7. Baldwin Wallace 387-397-389—1173, 8. Marietta 388-390-401—1179, 9. Capital 400-401-394—1195.
Top 14 Individuals (All-OAC)
1. Emma McGreal (Ott) 75-76-79—230, t2. Grace Honigford (ONU) 77-79-75—231 t2. Becky Williams (Ott) 80-75-76—231, 4. Marisa Alfes (ONU) 76-81-81—238, 5. Mattie Muckelroy (MtU) 81-79-79—239, 7. Amelia Burger (ONU) 78-81-81—240, t7. Rachel Hatley (Ott) 79-80-82—241, t7. Alexa Leubbe (Ott) 77-86-78—241, 9. Jackie Adler (Ott) 83-83-80—246, 10. Isabella Orofino (ONU) 80-85-89—254, 11. Madison Gruber (MtU) 84-89-83—256, 12. Allison Jurkovic (Muskingum) 91-88-82—261, 13. Danielle Powell (Berg) 85-86-91—262, 14. Layne Kilroy (Berg) 88-86-91—265.
Ohio Northern Individual Results
t2. Grace Honigford 77-79-75—231, 4. Marisa Alfes 76-81-81—238, 6. Amelia Burger 78-81-81—240, 10. Isabella Orofino 80-85-89—254, 16. Torrie Smith 95-89-87—271.