Ohio finished the 2013 Mid-American Conference Championships in ninth place on Sunday after being stable in ninth the entire weekend.
The Bobcats finished with a three-round combined team score of 1,007, which was 98 strokes behind the champion, Kent State. The title was Kent State’s 15th consecutive MAC Championship victory.
“It was a disappointing finish for the team because we had been playing well and had the potential to play so much better,” senior Sarah Tranelli said. “I am proud of our team for doing the best we could in tough rain conditions today.”
The first day of play on Friday included a frost delay of about an hour and a half, while the final round on Sunday was played in rainy, cold temperatures. The weather conditions affected the golfers’ play the entire weekend.
After being tied for the overall lead through three holes on Saturday, Ohio junior Kara Brinkmann finished the weekend tied for 18th place with a three-round score of 239. She shot an 81 in the final round, after two consecutive rounds of 79 on Friday and Saturday.
Next on the leaderboard for the Bobcats were junior Kristen Helmsdoerfer and senior Sarah Tranelli, tied for 40th place with a score of 254. On Saturday, Tranelli carded her first eagle in her Bobcat career.
Freshman Lauren McKinzie and sophomore Julie Lechner finished off the leaderboard for Ohio, placing 43rd and 45th, respectively. McKinzie dropped to an 89 on Sunday to finish the weekend with a combined score of 260, while Lechner dropped to shoot a 92 on Sunday to finish with a combined score of 267.
Ohio freshman Angela Codian was named to the All-MAC second team, while Tranelli was named the MAC women’s golf sportswoman of the year.
Tranelli is proud of her accomplishment, but thought the team could have finished much better. She knows that tough playing conditions have proved to be difficult for the team this season.
“Sportswoman of the year is an absolute honor,” Tranelli said. “It means even more because it is voted on by my peers. I have had a great career in the MAC and this award was the perfect way to end my career”
