MESA, Ariz. - South Dakota State held onto the top spot after the second round of the Summit League Women’s Golf Championship, extending its lead to 11 strokes. SDSU senior McKenzie Mages moved into first place individually with a field-low 68 (-3) and field-best eight birdies, while Oral Roberts improved 23 shots from round one to climb three positions into second following Monday’s action at Longbow Golf Club.
The Jackrabbits posted a 286 (+2) in round two to move to 584 (+16) through 36 holes, while the Golden Eagles matched that round with a 286 (+2) of their own to land in second at 595 (+27). Denver slipped one position into third at 600 (+32) after a 298 (+14) on the day.
SDSU’s Mages surged into the individual lead after shooting three under par, the low round of the day, to move to 141 (-1) overall. The senior remains the only golfer to be under-par following round two's action. Teammate Hannah Boraas also made a move up the leaderboard, carding a 70 (-1) to sit alone in second at 144 (+2), giving the Jackrabbits the top two individual spots heading into the final round.
Oral Roberts was fueled by a strong collective effort, highlighted by Jayla Kucy, who sits in third at 146 (+4) after a second-round 73 (+2). Kucy delivered one of the most memorable moments of the championship, recording a hole-in-one on the par-3 third hole with a pitching wedge from 120 yards out. Remarkably, this is the second ace of her career with both coming on the same hole after also accomplishing the feat during a practice round earlier this spring with the same club from the same distance.
The Golden Eagles placed three golfers inside the top 10 as Avery Blake and Lydia Swan each made significant jumps. Blake improved by nine strokes with a 70 (-1) to move into a tie for eighth at 149 (+7), while Swan carded a 69 (-2) to match that total and continue ORU’s upward push. Swan's 69 included six birdies and marked the second-lowest round of the day behind the field's leader, Mages.
Denver remains firmly in contention despite the third-place standing, led by Anna Neumayer, who is tied for fifth at 148 (+6) after a 75 (+4) in round two. Fellow Pio Kaitlin Zingler added a 75 (+4) and is tied for 10th, while Maren Farbu sits inside the top 12 at 151 (+9).
North Dakota State holds fourth at 602 (+34), paced by senior Madi Hicks, who sits in fourth individually at 147 (+5) after leading the field following round one. Teammate Jeri Lafleche added a 72 (+1) to move into a tie for fifth, helping the Bison maintain their position in the top half of the standings.
The Tommies also made a jump for the day, moving up one spot into fifth at 610 (+42) after a 298 (+14). Junior Kathryn VanArragon remains the top performer for the Tommies, sitting in a tie for 10th at 150 (+8).
Dropping to sixth at 612 (+44) was South Dakota, while Omaha (624; +56) and North Dakota (645; +77) round out the team standings heading into the final round.
The final round of the Summit League Women’s Golf Championship is set for Tuesday morning, with South Dakota State, Oral Roberts, and Denver paired together in the final grouping as the team title and individual medalist honors remain up for grabs.
Team Standings
1. South Dakota State (298-286 = 584; +16)
2. Oral Roberts (309-286 = 595; +27)
3. Denver (302-298 = 600; +32)
4. North Dakota State (303-299 = 602; +34)
5. St. Thomas (312-298 = 610; +42)
6. South Dakota (300-312 = 612; +44)
7. Omaha (314-310 = 624; +56)
8. North Dakota (328-317 = 645; +77)
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