Nine Garner League Recognition

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s golf team had unprecedented success in the postseason awards as the all-Heart of America Athletic Conference team was announced Wednesday.

Of the 15 all-league honors, William Penn earned nine of them. The list includes Courtney Cunningham (Sr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science), Brittany Evans (Fr., Fernley, Nev., Business Management), Brooke Fletcher (Jr., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management), Alexis Guimaraes (Fr., San Ramon, Calif., Psychology), Miranda Keeler (Jr., Plattsmouth, Neb., Communications), Helene Larsen (So., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management), Megan Rhoads (So., Schertz, Texas, Psychology), Jodi Saito (Sr., Mililani, Hawaii, Education), and Elise Warne (So., Melbourne, Australia, Exercise Science).

Evans, Fletcher, Guimaraes, Larsen, and Rhoads are all first-time honorees, while Cunningham, Keeler, Saito, and Warne all gain their second recognition. The nine recipients are the most in school history, breaking last year’s record of seven.

The all-conference honors are given to the 15 golfers with the lowest stroke average, while players who were not in the top 15 could have also earned the accolade with a top-five finish at this week’s Heart Championships.

Warne earned Heart Player of the Year laurels as well, while WPU Head Coach Nik Rule was tabbed as league Coach of the Year. It is the fourth year in a row that a Statesmen golfer has won the POY award, while it is also the fourth honor (fourth in a row) for Rule.

Warne, who helped the navy and gold to the league crown (the program’s fourth-straight conference title), is pacing all Heart golfers with a 78.2 stroke average over 24.5 rounds. The sophomore has posted the lowest tournament score three times and has eight top-10 efforts. She has been in the 70s on 17 occasions with a low of 72.

Cunningham is currently averaging 78.9 strokes per round (21.5 rounds) with 13 rounds in the 70s (low of 74 numerous times). The senior has one tourney crown to her credit with seven other top-10 finishes.

Evans has a stroke average of 80.6 (23.5 rounds), including nine times in the 70s (low of 74 twice). She has twice recorded the tournament low score and has six other top-10s as well.

At 83.9 (16.5 rounds), Fletcher has broken the 80-stroke barrier twice (low of 79 twice). She has tallied four top-10 showings.

Guimaraes has thus far posted an 85.1 average (17 rounds) with a low of 79. The freshman has been in the top 10 in six events.

Keeler is at 80.4 for the year (24.5 rounds), including 10 rounds in the 70s (low of 75 two times). The senior enters nationals with eight top-10s.

Larsen has been in the 70s on 11 occasions (24.5 total rounds) with a season-low even-par 71 at the Heart Championship. She owns a 79.9 stroke average in 24.5 rounds with seven top-10 finishes.

Rhoads is the owner of an 81.8 stroke mark (16 rounds), including six times in the 70s (low of 75). The sophomore has eight top-10 performances, headlined by twice having the tournament low.

Saito is averaging 79.7 strokes per outing (23.5 rounds) with a low of 73 (12 rounds in the 70s). She managed one tournament low and has a total of eight top-10 efforts.

2016-2017 All-Heart of America Athletic Conference
Player of the Year: Elise Warne (William Penn)
Coach of the Year: Nik Rule (William Penn)

Samantha Mitchell (Baker)
Maria Mantilla (Grand View)
Kimberly Nelson (Grand View)
Mariah Farden (Missouri Valley)
Marisa Pribnow (Peru State)
Jessica Weickert (Peru State)
Courtney Cunningham (William Penn)
Brittany Evans (William Penn)
Brooke Fletcher (William Penn)
Alexis Guimaraes (William Penn)
Helene Larsen (William Penn)
Miranda Keeler (William Penn)
Megan Rhoads (William Penn)
Jodi Saito (William Penn)
Elise Warne (William Penn)