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Gonzalez crowned regional champ as Rattlers advance to nationals

Rattlers secure first NCAA National Championships berth since 2003

By Chad Peters | St. Mary's Athletics Communications

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — For the first time in 14 years, and just the second time in program history, St. Mary's Women's Golf is headed to nationals. 

The Rattlers stormed back in an exhilarating final round of the NCAA Division II West Super Regional to finish third at the Wichita Falls Country Club, securing one of the three team berths available to advance to next week's NCAA National Championship Tournament in Findlay, Ohio. 
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Maria Regina Gonzalez (left)


Maria Regina Gonzalez chased down the individual regional championship in the process Wednesday, while Kelly Contreras' 4-under-par 68 in the third round marked the lowest score turned in during the entire tournament as the Rattlers cast aside an 18-stroke gap between themselves and third place entering the day. 

Nearly every Rattler, in fact, saw their best performance come when it mattered most, as Allison Howarth (74), Paige Weiss (76) and Mackenzie Thayer (81) all shined during the final round to help the Rattlers overcome what might have seemed like an insurmountable lead entering the final round. 

Following two rounds, St. Mary's sat in sixth place, trailing then third-place DBU by 18 strokes (620-602). 

But St. Mary's skyrocketed up the leaderboard Wednesday, shooting 292 — the best of any team in any round — to jump into the top three. West Texas A&M won the regional title, followed by DBU and then St. Mary's.   

Gonzalez enjoyed her own ascension up the board, having entered the final round tied for fourth place. But a 2-over 74 was good enough to eat away at Casey Wild of Tarleton State's three-stroke lead for first place — and to become the Rattlers' second-ever NCAA regional champion, joining Jillian Wyne (2003). 

Gonzalez, winning her second tournament of the season, shot 76-72-74—222 over the week. 

Contreras finished tied for 16th (81-79-68—228), while Howarth finished tied for 22nd (80-75-74—229). Weiss went 80-77-76—233 to finish tied for 30th, while Thayer carded 89-84-81—254 to finish 65th. 

The NCAA National Championship will take place May 17-20 at the Findlay Country Club in Findlay, Ohio. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Kelly Contreras

Kelly Contreras

5' 0"
Junior
Allison Howarth

Allison Howarth

Redshirt Senior
Maria Regina Gonzalez

Maria Regina Gonzalez

Sophomore
Paige Weiss

Paige Weiss

5' 6"
Sophomore
Mackenzie Thayer

Mackenzie Thayer

Senior

Players Mentioned

Kelly Contreras

Kelly Contreras

5' 0"
Junior
Allison Howarth

Allison Howarth

Redshirt Senior
Maria Regina Gonzalez

Maria Regina Gonzalez

Sophomore
Paige Weiss

Paige Weiss

5' 6"
Sophomore
Mackenzie Thayer

Mackenzie Thayer

Senior

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