Juliana Botera Molina // UNK Communications
BARTLESVILLE, OKLA. – Nebraska-Kearney junior Juliana Botero Molina shot a 14-over 230 to finish in 18th place at the 2024 NCAA Central Regional Wednesday in Bartlesville, Okla.
The three-day, 54-hole tournament was hosted by Rogers State at the par 72 Hillcrest C.C. (5,921 yards). The Bartlesville area was hit by a tornado Monday night, so play was delayed by four hours on Tuesday for course cleanup.
The top three teams advance to the NCAA Division II Championships May 21-25 in Orlando. Also headed that way are the top two individuals not on one of the advancing teams. This year’s qualifiers are Henderson (Ark.) State, Southwestern Oklahoma State and RSU with the individuals being Ellen Spinger of Arkansas Tech (3-over 219) and Auguatana’s Molly Stevens (7-over 223). Stevens won a playoff over Mia Rallo of Central Missouri to earn the last NCAA spot.
While Botero Molina (Colombia) won’t be making a trip to Florida, she did set a new UNK single season stroke record (76.14). Former teammate Faviola Gonzalez held the mark at 77.04, set during the 2021-22 season. Molina is also on pace to set a new career stroke mark as her current average of 77.22 leads all past and present Lopers.
The 2024 MIAA Champion and a finalist for the UNK Women’s Athlete of the Year, Botero Molina had rounds of 76, 78 and 76. Her tourney featured eight birdies and 28 pars. Next, she carded a birdie on her 54th hole, the par 5 ninth hole (470 yards), and had four straight pars on Monday., Finally, Botero Molina was just 1-over on par 5 holes.
HSU (894), SWOSU (900) and Rogers (907) paced the field of nine teams with a total of 53 golfers taking part. This year, a new rule allows teams to sub, so some golfers only competed in a round or two.