FIVE IN A ROW – Mustangs cruise to GPAC title, NAIA nationals bid

NORFOLK, NEB. – Morningside University's Great Plains Athletic Conference golf championship cadre grew by one more Tuesday, April 25.

It was another two league titles in four days scenario for the Mustangs, with the women joining the men atop the league. Head coach Nick Wanderscheid's joy could not be suppressed after tourney's end at Norfolk Country Club. 

"This is why we coaches and student-athletes do what we do – we want to win and be competitive," he said. "This is an awesome feeling." 

"Honestly, it's far more of a testament to the teams and talent that (former head) Coach (Todd) Sapp left me," he admitted. "It's been as much fun getting to know everyone on both teams this year. They are two special groups." 

Morningside, receiving votes on the latest national poll, picked up where they left off from the fall. Wanderscheid's crew shot the low round Monday, April 24, by 24 strokes. They followed that up with a 330 Tuesday, April 25, tied for the second-lowest in the field. At the end of four rounds of competition, the Mustangs' 1277 led the way by 84 strokes over runner-up Dakota Wesleyan University.

The individual medalist chase went down to the final holes. Sophomore Sofia Castelan (Queretaro, Mexico) added her name to the recent list of Mside winners. Four sub-80 rounds led her to the title with a 307. She held off senior teammate Laia Badosa (Girona, Spain) by eight shots. Fellow Class of 2022 members Maria Zorrilla (Torreon, Mexico) and Maria Nava (Monterrey, Mexico) also finished in the top 10. Zorrilla placed fifth (325), with Nava ending 7^th (333).

"There were a lot of emotions at the tournament end," Castelan reflected. "The season has been tough for everyone, but the way this all came together in winning conference was worth it. I enjoyed every single part of this. This memory will stay in my heart for a long time."

"Sofia was nervous early on," Wanderscheid noted. "She handled it well, though. It wasn't easy with so many seniors on the leaderboard around her."

"This team is so talented," he added. "They do it the right way –- playing with respect and pride."

Morningside will represent the GPAC at the 2022 NAIA Championships on May 24-27 at Oklahoma City's Lincoln Park West.