Central Michigan University Athletics
Tuesday, February 4
Blanco, Texas (Vaaler Creek Golf Club)
9:15 a.m. ET
Central Michigan University
at
Texas State Invitational
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Niskanen Closes with 2-Over 74 to Lead Women's Golf in Final Round at Texas State Invitational
2/4/2025 4:26:00 PM | Women's Golf
BLANCO, Texas – Rachel Niskanen shot a 2-over par 74 on Tuesday to lead the Central Michigan women's golf team on Tuesday during the final round of the Texas State Invitational at Vaaler Creek Golf Club.
Niskanen, a sophomore, finished with a 15-over 231 total to tie for 17th place in the 63-player field.
Niskanen began the final round tied for 26th and moved up nine spots with a two-birdie, four-bogey round. Her 74 was the best round of the tournament by a Chippewa.
"Rachel played solid today," CMU coach Ryan Williams said. "She didn't have her best ball striking throughout the tournament; she was struggling a little bit with that, but she battled hard and held it together and managed herself well around the course and that's all I ask of them.
"She did what she needed to do, stayed positive, and played relentlessly. That's always good."
The Chippewas posted a 317 team score on Tuesday to finished with a 947 total and in ninth place in the 10-team field. CMU finished two shots behind eighth-place Incarnate Word and three back of seventh-place Sacred Heart.
The tournament was CMU's first of the spring portion of its 2024-25 season.
Also for CMU on Tuesday, Ella Zanatta shot 77, Brooke Morris and Lexi Schulman both shot 83, and Hailey Katona carded an 85. CMU's Lauren Davis, playing as an individual, shot 79.
Zanatta finished with a 235 total to tie for 27th, Katona finished 35th at 238, Davis tied for 42nd with a 243 total, Morris tied for 47th at 245, and Schulman finished 52nd at 249.
"The younger kids had some moments out there to gain confidence from," Williams said. "We need to get more comfortable playing in competition, roll with the punches a little bit better, and play a little more loosely. As we get more experience, we'll get more comfortable, and we'll gain more confidence."
Katona and Schulman each made six birdies in the 54-hole tournament to share the team lead. Zanatta made a team-high 34 pars, while Niskanen carded 33.
Host Texas State closed with a 294 team score for an 899 team total and an 11-shot victory over Houston Christian (910).
Summer Lee of Oklahoma State, playing as an individual, closed with a 2-over 74 to finish at 2-under 214 to claim medalist honors. Yvonne Chamness of Texas State shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday to finish one shot back at 215.
The Chippewas are scheduled to partake in the Rio Verde Collegiate, hosted by Western Michigan, in Rio Verde, Ariz. Feb. 21-23.
Niskanen, a sophomore, finished with a 15-over 231 total to tie for 17th place in the 63-player field.
Niskanen began the final round tied for 26th and moved up nine spots with a two-birdie, four-bogey round. Her 74 was the best round of the tournament by a Chippewa.
"Rachel played solid today," CMU coach Ryan Williams said. "She didn't have her best ball striking throughout the tournament; she was struggling a little bit with that, but she battled hard and held it together and managed herself well around the course and that's all I ask of them.
"She did what she needed to do, stayed positive, and played relentlessly. That's always good."
The Chippewas posted a 317 team score on Tuesday to finished with a 947 total and in ninth place in the 10-team field. CMU finished two shots behind eighth-place Incarnate Word and three back of seventh-place Sacred Heart.
The tournament was CMU's first of the spring portion of its 2024-25 season.
Also for CMU on Tuesday, Ella Zanatta shot 77, Brooke Morris and Lexi Schulman both shot 83, and Hailey Katona carded an 85. CMU's Lauren Davis, playing as an individual, shot 79.
Zanatta finished with a 235 total to tie for 27th, Katona finished 35th at 238, Davis tied for 42nd with a 243 total, Morris tied for 47th at 245, and Schulman finished 52nd at 249.
"The younger kids had some moments out there to gain confidence from," Williams said. "We need to get more comfortable playing in competition, roll with the punches a little bit better, and play a little more loosely. As we get more experience, we'll get more comfortable, and we'll gain more confidence."
Katona and Schulman each made six birdies in the 54-hole tournament to share the team lead. Zanatta made a team-high 34 pars, while Niskanen carded 33.
Host Texas State closed with a 294 team score for an 899 team total and an 11-shot victory over Houston Christian (910).
Summer Lee of Oklahoma State, playing as an individual, closed with a 2-over 74 to finish at 2-under 214 to claim medalist honors. Yvonne Chamness of Texas State shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday to finish one shot back at 215.
The Chippewas are scheduled to partake in the Rio Verde Collegiate, hosted by Western Michigan, in Rio Verde, Ariz. Feb. 21-23.
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