HANCEVILLE, ALA. — Wallace State’s women’s golf team captured its third consecutive Alabama Community College Conference/Region 22 tournament championship this week, winning the event by an impressive 56 strokes at Point Mallard in Decatur.
Sophomore Michaela Bryan finished individual runner-up for the Lady Lions with a 21-over par 165 (82-83). She was only one shot from forcing a playoff with Bishop State’s Rev Lizabeth Alcantara.
Wallace State has won four consecutive tournaments this spring and all three ACCC/Region 22 tournaments.
“We played well for two consecutive days. It was one of our best two-day stretches this season,” said Wallace State women’s golf coach J.J. Adams. “I’m proud of the way we played and thrilled for our women.”
Adams was named the women’s golf 2019 ACCC Coach of the Year.
J.J. Adams was named the 2019 ACCC Coach of the Year. (photo courtesy of Russell Moore)
Bryan, who plans to golf for Loyola University in New Orleans next season, nearly missed out on her fifth individual title while at Wallace State. She was the ACCC individual low medalist last season.
“Michaela has been the leader of our team for a while. She’s invaluable from that standpoint. She has a lot of talent and has done a great job leading our freshmen,” Adams said.
Wallace State freshman Paige Lemm finished sixth overall with a 174. Maci Yeager placed eighth (179) for the Lady Lions and Claire Newby was one shot behind her in ninth.
Abbi Grimes rounded out the field for Wallace State.
Both Wallace State golf teams have endured an emotional season after losing coach Dan York to cancer earlier this year. York was the face of Wallace State golf for 30+ years, inducted into multiple Hall of Fames.
“It was tough early on for all of us, that’s for sure. Coach York was my mentor and coach. I was always quick to pull out my phone and ask him questions, and now all of sudden, you can’t do that anymore,” Adams said. “Both golf teams have dedicated this season to him, and I know he would be proud of our women for winning again.”
Before this week, Wallace State previously earned championships this season at the Jeff State Invitational, Northeast Community College Tournament and Wallace State Invitational.
Wallace State women’s golf, in its third season overall, now turns its focus to the NJCAA Division I National Championship to be played May 13-16 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Women’s golf is the second Wallace State program to win an ACCC title over the past week, joining men’s tennis last weekend. It’s the fifth overall this academic year with volleyball also winning its 10th straight conference title and men’s and women’s cross country each earning titles.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu or the athletics Facebook page at www.wallacestate.edu/athleticsfb.
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