Women’s golf team finishes in second-place in MIAA season-finale tournament to also place second in overall standings

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Olivet College women's golf team finished in second-place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) season-finale tournament today at the Bedford Valley Country Club in Battle Creek. With the performance, the Comets also place second in the final league standings.

At the conclusion of the tournament, it was announced senior Brooke Kastamo and junior Laura Bacso earned first-team All-MIAA honors, and senior Casey Lamp was a second-team All-MIAA pick. Kastamo averaged 81 strokes over the six league rounds, while Bacsco was a half stroke behind at 81.5. Lamp finished with an 84.7 stroke average.

In today's second round of the season-finale tournament, the Comets had a 330 team score, which gave them a two-round total of 658 strokes. Hope College took first-place with a 643 (325-318) to win its second straight MIAA championship. Saint Mary's (Ind.) College came in third-place with a 660 (325-335), followed by Trine (Ind.) University, 664 (330-334); Alma College, 691 (355-336); Calvin College, 700 (355-345); Albion College, 715 (352-363); and Adrian College, 746 (371-375).

Bacso paced Olivet with a two-day total of 159 strokes. She had the Comets' low score each day, with a 79 yesterday and an 80 today. Lamp was a stroke behind each for a 161 (80-81).

Kastamo completed her two rounds in 164 (80-84) total strokes. After shooting an 89 in Friday's first round, freshman Hayley Cooper dropped her score by a team-best four strokes today for a two-round total of 174. Senior Kirstin Langer improved by three today with an 87 to give her a two-day total of 177 strokes.

Hope wins the MIAA title by 36 strokes over the Comets, 1961-1997. Saint Mary's was nine strokes behind in third-place at 2,006, and Trine was fourth at 2,026. These four teams will compete in a 54-hole playoff in the spring to determine the league's automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA DIII National Championships. The first round will be played on Olivet's home course, and the final 36 holes will be at Hope's home course.

NOTES: The Comets have now finished in either first- or second-place in the final MIAA standings every year since 2004-05. Kastamo ends her career as a four-time All-MIAA selection – first-team in 2014 and 2015, and second-team in 2012 and 2013. Lamp is a four-time, second-team All-MIAA pick. Bacso is a two-time All-MIAA choice after earning second-team honors last fall.