Franco Breaks Records as WPU Battles at NW Iowa National Invite
Le Mars–In just her second collegiate event, Gabriana Franco (Fr., Tracy, Calif., Exercise Science) is already rewriting the record books as she led the Statesmen women’s golf team at the Northwest Iowa National Invitational Monday and Tuesday.
Behind a terrific effort from Franco, #25 WPU placed fifth out of nine teams with a three-round score of 931 (311-315-305) at the par-72 Willow Creek Golf Club. The field was stacked with #5 ranked Keiser (Fla.) flying up to the Midwest and taking the team crown at 880 (294-294-292), holding off #14 Ottawa (Ariz.) by 11 strokes. #7 Texas Wesleyan was third at 901, while Kansas Wesleyan, a squad receiving votes in the NAIA, was seventh in the standings.
Malisone Chanthapanya of Texas Wesleyan won the individual title at 213 (69-71-73), but it was Franco who posted the lowest single-round of the tournament.
The freshman, who tied for ninth at 221 (one stroke off of WPU’s 54-hole record), opened up the event with a 74, highlighted by a three-under 33 on the front nine that included a birdie on Hole 3 and an eagle on Hole 9. The 33 is the lowest nine-hole score in school history, breaking the previous record, held by Dena Hugen from 2008.
Franco’s second round on Monday was a bit of a drop-off as she posted a 79, but she rebounded in a most-impressive way on Tuesday, posting the lowest 18-hole score in program history. Franco shot a four-under 68, demolishing the old mark of 71 that was posted six times, including by her head coach Elise Warne. She is the third Statesmen ever to post a score below par.
In the process of breaking the 18-hole mark, she also tied her own nine-hole record with another 33 on the front nine (35 on the back nine). Her round included five birdies, an eagle, and nine pars. Overall, Franco ended the tournament with eight birdies, two eagles, and a plethora of pars.
“Gabriana once again showed us how talented she is by breaking these records,” Head Coach Elise Warne said. “Her teammates were absolutely ecstatic for her, which shows the real character of this group. They are so supportive of each other’s individual achievements.”
Olivia Lange (So., Porta Westfalica, Germany, Business Management) was next for the Statesmen, tying for 14th (out of 50 players) with three scores in the 70s (74-78-77–229). Lange’s experience included eight birdies.
Carlee Frayne (Jr., Garner, Iowa, Sport Management) tied for 27th overall at 238 (80-77-81) with four birdies, while Jaclyn Wojciechowski (Sr., Graytown, Ohio, Business Management) and Courtney Jackson (Sr., Liberty Lake, Wash., Digital Communication) were both tied for 39th at 249. Wojciechowski posted scores of 89-81-79 (three birdies), while Jackson carded rounds of 83-84-82 (five birdies).
Grace Butler (Jr., Arnolds Park, Iowa, Engineering) also competed for the navy and gold as an individual and tied two of her teammates for 39th at 249 (86-79-84) with two birdies.
“We once again had a successful trip up to Le Mars,” Warne said. “This is one of the best-run tournaments of the year and we cannot thank Dan Gray and his staff enough for delivering another high-level tournament experience for our players.”
“We did not perform to the level we expect on the first day, but with a slight shift in mindset, we were able to achieve our team goal on the second day,” Warne added.
Next Up: William Penn takes a lengthy break before traveling to Silvis, Ill. on October 17-18 to host the TPC Deere Run Invitational at TPC Deere Run Golf Course.
