The Northern Illinois University Huskies made a strong impression at the Illini Women’s Invitational held at Medinah, showcasing resilience and skill against a highly competitive field of collegiate golfers.
Caroline Kent Sets the Pace for the Huskies
Caroline Kent led the way for NIU with an outstanding performance, finishing the final round at one under par. Across the tournament, Kent tallied an impressive seven birdies, with three of them recorded in her remarkable second round.
Notable Achievements and Historic Moments
Emma Thorman (Macomb, Ill./Macomb) secured her place in NIU’s record books with an incredible third-round score of 69. This performance placed her among the top 20 for the lowest 18-hole rounds in the program’s history. Thorman also celebrated an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole during the third round, while teammate Mia Raines (Galena, Ohio/Olentangy Berlin) achieved the same feat on the same hole in the second round.
Thorman’s consistent play included six birdies, four of which came during her standout third round, helping her secure a spot in the top 60 general. Competing as an individual, Raines displayed her potential with seven birdies and an eagle across the tournament.
Coach Kester’s Insight
NIU head coach Kim Kester expressed immense pride in her team’s efforts, stating, “The leaderboard does not justify how well we did as this is one of the strongest fields we have been a part of. Getting into a tournament like this is a testament to the level of play we are bringing into NIU golf.”
Huskies – NIU Athletics (image via Getty)Strong Performances Across the Team
Jóhanna Lúðvíksdóttir (Reykjavik, Iceland/Commercial College of Iceland) delivered an impressive showing, recording five birdies in her second round and a total of seven birdies on the opening day. Her second-round score of 70, two under par, was the lowest among the Huskies in that round.
Alexa Ouellet (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/De La Salle College) contributed significantly, leading the team with ten birdies across three rounds—four each in the first and second rounds. Meanwhile, Dakota Tallent (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman) added five birdies to the Huskies’ total, with three of them coming during her second round.
Looking Ahead to the Jim West Challenge
Coach Kester remains optimistic about the team’s future, noting, “We have two very elite fields back-to-back, and we know what we have to adjust before Jim West. We brought our best game to this tournament. I’m super proud of how they fought throughout the week, and a lot of good things are ahead for this team.”
The Huskies will continue their season on October 20-21 at the Jim West Challenge in San Marcos, Texas, aiming to build on their strong performance at Medinah.
For more updates on NIU Huskies golf and other sports, stay tuned.
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