TULSA, Okla. – SWOSU Women's Golf competed at the GAC Championship this week at Page Belcher G.C. for the conference title, where they finished third while collecting three top-15 individual finishes.
The third-place finish represents a one-spot improvement from last season and ties the program's best finish since the 2018-19 season. Entering the final hole, SWOSU and Henderson State were tied for the No. 2 spot, but it was the Reddies who edged the Lady Dawgs late to earn the runner-up title. Arkansas Tech won the GAC Championship by 30 strokes, posting a +38 as a team, while the Golden Suns also had the top individual, as No. 2 in the region Ellen Spigner won the championship by six strokes.
Maria Velilla led the Lady Dawgs throughout the three-day event, opening with rounds of 72-73 to place herself in striking distance of the top spot heading into the final 18 holes. However, a final-round 81 pushed her back to eighth as she posted three triple bogeys in the final six holes. She recorded just three birdies but totaled 38 pars, the second-most in the field and only one behind the tournament winner.
Daniela Espinoza posted rounds of 79-74-76, finishing as the second-lowest Lady Bulldog score. She totaled just nine bogeys across her rounds, the third-fewest of any competitor in the field, but six double bogeys or worse brought her final score to +16. She recorded six birdies, with three coming in her opening round.
Freya Sala finished tied for 14th, with her best round coming on the final day when she shot a five-over 76. She had just two bogeys and added a birdie in the final 18, but a quadruple bogey on the third hole proved costly, even after she followed it with eight consecutive pars. Her +18 final score marks the first time all year she has finished a tournament at least 10 over par.
London Wilson posted three consistent rounds of 79-78-79 while recording just one birdie across the 54 holes.
Nerea Anton's best round came on day two, when she shot a 78 with three birdies. She had just two holes with scores worse than bogey.
The Lady Dawgs now shift their focus to the NCAA Central Regional, where they will compete for a chance to advance to the National Championship. The official tournament field will be announced April 26. SWOSU entered the week ranked No. 3 in the latest regional rankings and is expected to make its 12th appearance in the last 13 seasons. The tournament will be held May 4-6 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
2026 Great American Conference Women's Championship
Monday-Wednesday, April 13-15
Tulsa, Okla. (Page Belcher GC)
Final Results (website)
