Central among national leaders with six on women’s golf academic squad

PELLA—Six Central College student-athletes were tabbed as Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholars, among the most of any U.S. college and universities.

The Dutch, who captured the American Rivers title last fall and competed at the NCAA Division III Championship in Florida in May, were led by Delaney Underwood (senior, Mitchellville, Colfax-Mingo HS) and Madison Clark (senior, Bloomington, Ill., Central Catholic HS), who were cited for the fourth straight year while junior Peyton Bytnar (Bettendorf) was named for the third time. Second-time honorees were Lydia Grond (sophomore, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS), Thea Lunning (senior, Mason City) and Rachel Sohn (junior, Sutherland, South O’Brien HS) and Avery Woods (sophomore, Long Grove, North Scott HS).

For selection, honorees must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher and compete in 50% of the team’s rounds. It’s the 11th time in 12 years that at least one Central player was cited. Nationwide, 1,401 players at all levels of women’s college golf were selected. Coe College, Luther College and Simpson College were the only other American Rivers schools with players named.

Nationally, St. John’s University (N.Y.) and Dartmouth College topped the list with seven honorees each.

Coach Tabitha Schumacher’s 13-player roster posted a combined 3.48 team grade point average during the 2022-23 year.

WGCA All-American Scholars

Name Yr. Major GPA

Peyton Bytnar Jr. Biology 3.95

Madison Clark Sr. Math/computer science 3.73

Lydia Grond So. Biochemistry 3.71

Thea Lunning Sr. Biology 4.00

Rachel Sohn Jr. Actuarial science 3.55

Delaney Underwood Sr. Biology 3.87