Surging WC women’s golf team off to national tourney

On the strength of their recent performance, the Weatherford College women's golf team is heading to the NJCAA Division I Championships with plenty of confidence.

The tournament is May 11-14 at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois.

A late season surge propelled them to the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference Championship, along with a runner-up finish at the Southwest District Tournament on their home course, Canyon West.

"I'm really proud of this group," said head coach Dave Rennhack. "The extra work they have been putting in on their short games paid off and their mental approach has gone to a different level.  Playing at our home course was really fun but they didn't take it for granted. They performed with a lot of confidence and stuck to a great game plan." 

In the final round at the Southwest District Tournament, the Coyotes bested Odessa College, the nation's No. 1 team. They ended the tournament just three strokes behind the defending national champion Wranglers.

"They had never beaten Odessa on a single day and their performance in the final round opened their eyes to what is possible," Rennhack said. "If they take that attitude into the national championship they could do very well."

Weatherford comes into the national tournament ranked No. 7.

Individually, sophomore Corrina Haros came in second at the Southwest District event. She was fifth at the national championships last season as the Coyotes were 13th as a team.

Freshman Tasnim Smaili placed third and sophomore Emily Gutierrez tied for fourth.

Haros was recently named the NTJCAC Player of the Year, and assistant coach Katie Johnston received Coach of the Year honors.

Smaili and Gutierrez were named first team all-conference, with freshmen Anjali Nair and Yixuan Mu named to the second team. Haros, Smaili, Gutierrez and Nair were also named to the All-Region V Team.

In the fall, the Coyotes finished first at a tournament in Waco, where Gutierrez was fourth individually. They took third in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Spring highlights have included another runner-up finish at the Arkansas Collegiate to NCAA Division II school Henderson State. Haros and Gutierrez tied for fifth individually.

They also had a third-place finish at the Thunderbird Invitational, hosted by Region V counterpart New Mexico Junior College. Gutierrez placed fifth individually.

Haros has committed to play for Texas A&M Corpus Christi next season and Gutierrez is headed to Texas A&M-Victoria.

"I believe they are mentally ready," Rennhack said. "They've never played this course, and it is a tough Pete Dye design, but they have proven a lot to themselves this year and I'm looking forward to seeing them play some great golf."