Seven teams in ICCAC Women's Golf this year will head down to Kansas come qualifier time for the NJCAA Plains District Championship. In what may be the final season with all schools in Division I Women's Golf -- Region 11 will look to send as many golfers as they can to the National Tournament.
The District will send its top two teams to the NJCAA Championships, along with any top 10 finisher not on a qualifying team. Last year, Region 11 sent Iowa Western as a team along with DMACC's Ashley Michel and Iowa Central's Abby Gaudian. Among last year's qualifiers (seven total) only three return from Iowa Western.
The Reivers will bring back Baylie Pyke, Wen-Yi Hung and Brook Diekemper from last year's runner up team. Their group took 10th at the National Tournament (out of 16 teams). The Reivers had won every qualifier until last season dating back to 2009 -- only falling to Barton (Kan.) last season.
DMACC nearly reached as a team, finishing in third place at the Plains District. Michel is gone -- but the Bears have Meg Thompson returning who should make a run atop leaderboards this spring.
Iowa Central was picked second in the coaches poll after bolstering their line up. Despite the loss of Gaudian, they have the likes of Olivia Tait & Ivanna Becerra-Diaz to anchor the Triton lineup. Don't be surprised if they earn some national qualifiers in May.
Hawkeye is in their second season of competition -- we'll see how they have progressed after a year under their belt.
Iowa Lakes, Southeastern and NIACC round out the group of seven. All teams will meet in Dodge City, Kan. April 29-30 for the Plains District Championship, hosted at Mariah Hills Golf Course.