Mustangs, Castelan begin GPACs on high note

VERMILLION, S.D. – Morningside University put all five of its scoring individuals among the top 12 to close out a thriving fall section of the 2021-22 Great Plains Athletic Conference Championships Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 4 and 5. 

Head coach Nick Wanderscheid's Mustangs proved their No. 9 national ranking by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in spades over the first half of the 72-hole tournament. They carded rounds of 304 and 308 on The Bluffs course for a 612 to lead the 12-team field by 54 strokes at the clubhouse turn. 

Sophomore Sofia Castelan (Queretaro, Mexico) headlined the attack. She gathered her first collegiate 36-hole victory, going 74-76 for a 150. She was pushed hard by senior teammate Maria Zorrilla (Monterrey, Mexico), who was just one shot back (151). Fellow seniors Laia Badosa (Girona, Spain) and Maria Nava (Torreon, Mexico) were also within the first 10. Badosa's 153 put her fourth, while Nava's 156 claimed her sixth. Sophomore Lauren Carr (Lincoln, Neb.) posted a 170 to tie for 12^th.

Morningside takes the impressive advantage to Norfolk Country Club April 25-26 for the final two rounds.