UMHB Women’s Golf wins ASC Championship to advance to NCAA Tournament

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's golf team rallied from a two-stroke deficit on the final day and the Cru women claimed their tenth American Southwest Conference Championship with a 26-shot victory in the ASC Tournament Tuesday in Lufkin. UMHB stormed from behind to top U.T.-Tyler by 26 strokes.

Taylor O'Rear made it two consecutive individual titles and became just the second women's golfer in conference history to win two or more individual titles. O'Rear edged teammate Sara Eckert's by one stroke. Eckert also finished second to O'Rear in last year's ASC tournament. Elizabeth Davis took fourth place individually and her 75 was the lowest score of the final round. O'Rear, Eckert and Davis were named to the ASC All-Conference First Team. Cru head coach Darla Kirby was also named ASC Women's Golf Coach of the Year.

This is the third consecutive ASC crown for the UMHB women and the tenth league title overall.

With the victory, the Cru clinches the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Championships next month. The 2013 NCAA Division III Women's Golf National Championship will be played May 14-17 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Sandestin, Florida.