ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – SWOSU Women's Golf dominated their way to their first title of the 2025-2026 campaign, led by
Maria Velilla and
Freya Sala, who finished first and second on the leaderboard to claim the NCAA Central Regional Preview.
The Lady Dawgs (+40) won the tournament by 11 strokes over Harding (+51), who took second, followed by Central Oklahoma (+52) in third. The event hosted 19 of the top teams in the Central Region, including three other GAC foes — previously mentioned Harding, as well as Southeastern (11th) and Oklahoma Baptist (T-14).
The Lady Bulldogs' 11-stroke margin of victory is their largest since March of 2019.
Velilla earned the first victory of her college career after finishing runner-up just a few weeks earlier at the Newman Invitational. She shot +4 over two rounds, including an even-par 72 on the final day to climb four spots up the leaderboard and secure the win. Consistency was her hallmark — she carded 25 pars through 36 holes, the most in the field, and totaled just seven bogeys or worse, the fewest of any competitor.
Sala recorded her best finish of the season and is now four-for-four in landing inside the top 10 in every tournament this fall. Her 76-75 performance was just enough to edge out Lou Fourdan of Rogers State, as Sala parred the final hole while Fourdan bogeyed, giving Sala solo second. She tallied five birdies and nine bogeys across the event, though a triple bogey on day one proved to be the difference between first and second place.
Nerea Anton earned her best finish of the year as well, becoming the third Lady Bulldog to crack the top 10 with consecutive rounds of 78. She collected five birdies and the team's lone eagle — which came at the perfect time. After starting her round bogey–triple bogey, she answered immediately with a birdie–eagle stretch to recover and stay among the leaders.
London Wilson (+20) posted her best round in the opening 18, carding two birdies and shooting a 79.
Daniela Espinoza (+21) improved her score in the second round and tallied three birdies over the 36 holes.
The fall season wraps up next week when the Lady Bulldogs travel to the Tulsa Cup at Forest Ridge G.C. on October 27-28.
NCAA Central Region Preview
Monday-Tuesday, October 20-21
St. Joseph, Mo. (St. Joseph C.C.)
Complete Results (website link)
