Story by UNK Athletic Communications
Kearney, Neb. – Junior Juliana Botero Molina will represent Nebraska-Kearney at the 2024 NCAA Central Regional May 6-8 in Bartlesville, Okla.
The regional field consists of nine teams from the MIAA, Great American Conference (GAC) and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) as well as six individuals not from one of those squads. The regional committee uses a varsity of criteria from the regular season, including head-to-head competition and tournament finish, to determine the selections.
UNK was hoping to make the cut for a third straight year but just missed out. Next spring, the regional field expands to 18 teams.
The 2024 D2 NCAA women's golf field features 48 teams and 24 individuals competing at four regional sites (Bartlesville, Okla., Carmel, Ind., Cleveland, Tenn., and Stockton, Calif.). The top three Central teams, along with the top two individuals not on those teams, move on to the NCAA Championships May 21-25 in Orlando.
The 2024 MIAA Champion, Botero Molina has a 76.19 season stroke average which would set a new school record. Half of her 21 rounds have been between 71-75 and she joins Ana Summers (2015 & 2016) and Sara Wissing (2009 & 2010) as Lopers to individually qualify for regional play.
Rogers State will host the regional at the Hillcrest Country Club. UNK took part in the “Pre-Regional” meet at the course back in Sept. 2023 with Botero Molina tying for 16th place (150; 75-75).
Central Regional FieldTeams:1. Henderson State, Ark. [Great American Conference auto bid]2. Central Missouri [Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association auto bid]3. Southwestern Oklahoma State4. Rogers State5. Augustana [Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference auto bid]6. Northeastern State7. Minnesota State8. Central Oklahoma9. Harding, Ark.
Individuals:
1. Morgan Brasser, Fort Hays State
2. Juliana Botero Molina, UNK
3. Morgan Becker, Oklahoma Baptist
4. Ellen Spigner, Arkansas Tech
5. Paige Hoffman, Northwest Missouri State
6. Carly Moon, Winona State, Minn.