BAKKE EARNS INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST HONORS, TIGERS FINISH RUNNER-UP AT CCAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

SILVIS, Ill. – Mara Bakke topped the field by a wide margin to earn individual medalist honors and lead the Olivet Nazarene University women's golf team to a runner-up finish at the CCAC Women's Golf Championships Tuesday at TPC Deere Run. 

Bakke, a sophomore from Sun Prairie, Wis., carded the tournaments two best rounds to become ONU's first individual conference champion since Kiana Kruhulik in 2022. Bakke fired consecutive 83's on Monday and Tuesday to finish with a winning score of 166, besting the tournament's runner-up by 11 strokes. No other competitor in the field had a round better than 85.

Her efforts helped ONU nearly climb back to win the tournament altogether. But St. Ambrose, thanks to a strong first round that saw them build an 11-shot lead after Monday's opening round, held off the Tigers to win the conference crown with a 717 (351-366). ONU finished just four strokes back to place runner-up at 721 (362-359). Judson finished third and Saint Xavier was fourth.

Joining Bakke on the All-Tournament team was Lizzie Howard, who knocked two strokes off her second round to finish in a four-way tie for third place at 178 (90-88). Alexandria Jones carded consecutive rounds of 90 to earn sole possession of seventh place at 180. Faith Dalton also improved on her second round with a 99 followed by a 98 to place 17th. Mya Jones was a few strokes back in 23rd place.

--ONU—

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu