ATHLETICS - W Golf

Vergara Women's Golf NCAA Champion

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:03:00 GMT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Barry University sophomore women's golfer Nancy Vergara won the NCAA Division II National Championship Saturday, winning the individual title with a four-round 3-over 291.

"I still cannot believe it," Vergara said. "I'm still getting through the idea that I won."

Vergara, a sophomore from Caracas, Venezuela, shot 75 in the final round to beat Nova Southeastern's Linnea Johansson by a stroke for the national medalist honor. Johansson shot 77 in the final round. Nova's Daniela Ortiz finished third, three strokes behind Vergara, after shooting 77 in the last round.

"It was amazing," Vergara said. "I was hitting the ball pretty solid the four days. I was prepared to play with the leader today. In the last three holes, everything came together, and I won."

Vergara had three bogeys and no birdies in the final round, completing a steady 72-hole championship event in which she never wavered out of second place. With her mother, Nancy, watching after making the trip from Venezuela, she sank a four-foot par putt on the 340-yard 18th hole to win it.

"She just hung in there and hung there," said Buccaneers coach Shannon Sykora, who never left Vergara's side the entire final round.

Barry finished third as a team, putting up the low round Saturday with a 300. The Bucs shot 1,194 on the 6,228-yard, par 72 LPGA International Legends Course to fall seven strokes shy of champion Lynn, who ended Nova's four-year reign at the top. The Fighting Knights beat the Sharks by three strokes to win the title in a 12-team field dominated by the three Sunshine State Conference schools.

"We did something right," Sykora said. "I think they realized more and more that they can do it. I'm very proud of the way they just kept their heads down and just grinded."

Barry freshman Maria Paola Fiorio shot 75 Saturday, finishing in a four-way tie for 14th at 303. Fiorio had four birdies in the last round, including the par-3 15th. She birdied the 164-yard hole three times during the week, and finished with a team-high 11 in the tournament.

Bucs freshman Nicky Ferre tied with Tarleton State's Jessica Pickwick for 18th at 304, following her second straight 77. Ferre birdied the par-4 17th before parring out to cap a 5-over final round. Ferre solved the 17th after putting up three straight bogeys on the hole in the earlier rounds.

Barry senior Taylor Babcock and sophomore Daniela Murray tied for 20th with St. Edward's Ryanne Haddow at 305. Babcock, an honorable mention All-American as a junior, had two birdies in the final round to anchor a 3-over 75 in her final collegiate appearance. Murray also had two birdies to shoot 75. Both Murray and Babcock jumped four spots up the leaderboard on the final day.

Lynn's Ellen Chambers finished fourth at 7-over 295, and Grand Canyon's Charlotte Jaengkit fifth at 296. The Buccaneers were 32 strokes better than fourth-place St. Edward's. Grand Canyon, which is making the jump to Division I next year, was fifth, 41 strokes behind the Bucs.

"I think our game has improved a lot," Vergara said. "I think we have a really, really good opportunity (next year). We know we can beat the best."

On this day, Vergara was the best.

RESULTS

Women's Golf Stays in 3rd with 1 Round to Play

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:45:00 GMT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf team completed its third round of the NCAA Division II National Championships in the same spot they've finished the first two rounds: third place.

The Buccaneers trail leader Nova Southeastern, the four-time defending national champs, by 13 strokes entering Saturday's final round at LPGA International Legends Course. Lynn is a stroke behind Nova in the 12-team field where the three Sunshine State Conference members have distanced themselves from the pack.

Saturday's final round will be broadcast live at 12:30 p.m. from the 18th hole. To follow the action click HERE. LIVE STATS are also available for final round hole-by-hole coverage.

Barry shot 298 Friday on the 6,228-yard course as all five players were within six strokes of par in the third round. Sophomore Nancy Vergara is within a stroke of the overall lead held by Nova's Linnea Johansson. Nova's Daniela Ortiz, the first-round leader, carded a second consecutive 75, and is in third place, two strokes off the lead.

"We still hung in there," Buccaneers coach Shannon Sykora said. "We still got a chance tomorrow. Nova and Lynn played well, but we hung in there."

Vergara made three birdies and four bogeys to finish at 1-over 73 Friday. She has eight birdies in the tournament, and has never been more than 2-over during the championship event. Johansson had 18 straight pars in the third round.

"She's just playing one hole at a time," Sykora said of Vergara. "She knows she's got a chance tomorrow."

Lynn's Louise Manalo and Ellen Chambers are fourth and fifth, respectively, at 218 and 220.

Barry freshman Nicky Ferre is tied for 19th with Nova's Liliana Cammisa at 227. Ferre had two birdies for the third consecutive day in Friday's round to enter the clubhouse with a 5-over 77. Maria Paola Fiorio shot par, dropping in three back-nine birdie putts to vault 11 spots up the leaderboard into a three-way tie for 21st.

Senior Taylor Babcock shot 4-over 76, and is tied for 24th with teammate Daniela Murray, who carded a 78 Friday. Babcock had one birdie, while Murray finished with three on the day.

"As a team, we still feel good about our chances if we can play our best round of the year," Sykora said. "I think they were a little disappointed they couldn't make up some ground today, but they know they have a good opportunity tomorrow. We're looking forward to the opportunity to play this golf course and get back in it."

RESULTS

Barry Women's Golf Remains in Hunt

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:05:00 GMT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Barry University women’s golf team remained in third place after Thursday’s second round of the NCAA Division II National Championships.

The Buccaneers shot 294 on the LPGA International Legends Course, cutting eight strokes from their first-round total to remain comfortably in third place at 596 in the 72-hole, four-day tournament. Barry remained 10 strokes behind leader Nova Southeastern, while second-place Lynn shot the low round of the day at 288 to draw within three strokes of the lead entering Friday’s third round.

St. Edward’s is fourth, 17 strokes behind the Bucs, and Grand Canyon is fifth at 614 in the 12-team championship event.

Barry will tee off at 9:40 a.m. Friday.

All four of the Buccaneers’ counting scores were no higher than 2-over for the day.

“We did what we had to do,” Buccaneers first-year head coach Shannon Sykora said. “We didn’t lose any ground to Nova, and we’re right in it. They’re all doing what they have to do, which is play each shot one shot at a time. It’s just going to take everybody playing our best the next two days for us to be right there.”

Barry sophomore Nancy Vergara remained second, this time in a three-way tie, after shooting par on the 6,228-yard course. Vergara is within a stroke of the lead, which Nova’s Daniela Ortiz occupies at 2-under 142. Sharks teammate Linnea Johansson and Lander’s Teresa Hernani are also tied with Vergara. Lynn’s Louise Manalo is fifth at 144 after matching teammate Samantha Smolen’s low round of the day at 69.

Buccaneers freshman Nicky Ferre shot 74, and is tied for 16^th with Smolen and Tarleton State’s Isabell JimenezPerea at 150. Barry sophomore Daniela Murray shot 74, and is tied for 22^nd at 152. Senior Taylor Babcock also shot 74, and is tied for 26^th with four other golfers. Freshman Maria Paola Fiorio shot 79, and is in a four-way tie for 33^rd.

Babcock had four birdies in the second round, capping her day with two in the last four holes, including one on her last, the 366-yard, par-4 ninth. Vergara had two birdies and two bogeys in another steady round that maintained her position near the top of the leaderboard. Murray birdied the par-5 14^th, while Ferre had birdies on Nos. 2 and 5, par-5 and par-4 holes, respectively. Fiorio had birdies on the par-5 eighth and par-3 12^th.

“The team’s attitude is positive, and they’re not getting ahead of themselves,” Sykora said. “They’re doing a good job of staying in the present moment, and that’s why they’re in the thick of things.”

RESULTS

Bucs Women's Golf 3rd After Day 1

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:13:00 GMT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Barry University women’s golf team is in third place after the first round of the NCAA Division II National Championships at LPGA International Legends Course Wednesday.

The Buccaneers shot 302, and are 10 strokes behind leader Nova Southeastern and a stroke behind second-place Lynn. St. Edward’s is fourth at 304, and Grand Canyon fifth, five strokes behind the Hilltoppers.

Barry’s Nancy Vergara shot a 1-under 71, sinking three birdie putts in the opening round of the four-day tournament on the 6,228-yard course. She birdied the par-5 eighth hole, par-3 15^th and par-4 18^th, and is four strokes behind leader Daniela Ortiz of Nova, who had seven birdies.

Lander’s Teresa Hernani is third after shooting par, while three others are a stroke back.

Barry’s Nicky Ferre is sandwiched in a nine-way tie for 16^th after shooting 76. Ferre birdied the par-4 first and 13^th holes. Teammate Maria Paola Fiorio shot 77, anchored around birdies on Nos. 8 and the par-3 15^th. She is in a seven-way tie for 25^th.

Daniela Murray shot 78, and is tied for 32^nd. Murray birdied the par-3 12^th, which dropped her to 2-over at the time. Taylor Babcock shot 80. She birdied the par-5 second.

The tournament runs through Saturday. Follow the tournament via Live Stats.

RESULTS

Barry Golf Teams to Compete for NCAA Titles

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:54:00 GMT

WOMEN'S LIVE STATS

MEN'S LIVE STATS

Barry University women's golf team tees off at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday in the NCAA Division II National Championships at LPGA Legends International in Daytona Beach.

Yeah, so what's the rub? Well, coupled with the fact the Buccaneers are competing in their second straight national tournament, having finished fourth in the country in Louisville in 2012, this team is at home so to speak.

"They feel comfortable with the course because they've been here before," Barry coach Shannon Sykora said. "They just have to stay patient, and get themselves in position."

Follow the women's golf national championships HERE.

Barry's men's team will be making its NCAA Division II record fifth straight appearance in the championships. Last year the Buccaneers finished tied for fifth after advancing to the match play portion of a gruelling tournament format. Barry, ranked No. 2 in the country, will play three rounds of stroke play, beginning Monday, at Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Pa., before moving on to match play. The top eight teams after the 54-hole stroke play tournament advance to match play in a seeded bracket-style 54-hole finish over two days.

The Buccaneers men's team won it all in 2007.

"I feel good about the team and the progress we've made through the spring on the golf course, and the mental and physical preparation," Barry longtime coach Jimmy Stobs said. "All we're going to try to do is control our own emotions."

Follow the men's golf championships HERE.

Three of Barry's five women return to a national championship setting after helping the Buccaneers qualify a year ago. Senior Taylor Babcock and sophomores Daniela Murray and Nancy Vergara all competed in the 2012 NCAA Championships. Freshmen Nicky Ferre and Maria Paola Fiorio will be making their first appearance in a national championship setting.

"Honestly, at any time I feel like any one of them can step up," Sykora said. "I feel like they all can do it at the same time, and that's what it's going to take."

Like the women, three men's players are back for another run at a national title. Seniors Simon Forsslund and Marcus Segerstrom and junior Scott Smyers each have NCAA Championship experience. Junior transfer Jared Dalga and freshman Adam Svensson will make their first trip to nationals.

"They're going about their business the last 10 days practicing, and they're very focused about what's in front of them," Stobs said. "We can't control the other teams. That's the most important thing in sports, no matter what sport it is.

"They know what's in front of them. They know what it's all about. It's all about championships. You don't want to be known as the yeah-but coach."

Stobs will never be considered that after winning a title in 2007.

"I want these guys to experience it," Stobs said. "I want these guys to experience victory in national championships. We feel confident, we feel good, and that's it."

And no, just because they're headed to Hershey doesn't mean there will be any trips to the chocolate factory.

"We're not going on vacation," Stobs said.

No, they'd rather be chewing on a championship.

Women's Golf No. 7 in Final Poll

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:47:00 GMT

NEW YORK -- Barry University women's golf team is ranked No. 7 in the final Golf World/Women's Golf Coaches Association Poll.

Nova Southeastern was a unanimous No. 1 choice, receiving 15 first-place votes and 375 points. St. Edward's is No. 2 with 331 points and Lynn third with 324 points.

The Buccaneers received 271 points.

Barry is one of five Sunshine State Conference schools in the top 7, and one of seven in the top 25. Rollins is fourth with 310 points, and Florida Southern fifth with 306. Tarleton State is sixth with 282 points.

The Bucs will compete in the NCAA Championships for the second straight year after qualifying with a third-place finish at the South/Southeast Regional Tuesday. The national championships will be held May 15-18 at LPGA Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Golf World/WGCA Coaches’ Poll

May 13, 2013 Issue

NCAA Women’s Division II

Rank Team Points Last

1. Nova Southeastern (15) 375 1

2. St. Edward’s 331 2

3. Lynn 324 3

4. Rollins 310 4

5. Florida Southern 306 6

6. Tarleton State 282 7

7. Barry 271 5

8. Florida Tech 254 9

9. Grand Canyon 242 8

10. West Florida 201 12

11. UNC Pembroke 196 11

12. Dallas Baptist 195 13

13. Midwestern State 167 10

14. Central Oklahoma 165 17

15. Newberry 141 14

16. Armstrong Atlantic State 139 15

17. Flagler 121 16

18. Newman 105 19

19. Lander 89 18

20. California U. (Pa.) 84 21

21. Saint Leo 72 20

22. Indianapolis 70 25

23. Grand Valley State 66 NR

24. Augustana College 61 22

25. CSU-Monterey Bay 53 24

Also receiving votes: Northeastern State, 49; Academy of Art, 30; Mount Olive, 24; Arkansas Tech, 18; Converse College, 18; Carson-Newman, 16; S.W. Oklahoma State, 16; Sonoma State, 11; Chico State, 10; Northwest Missouri State, 10; Coker, 9; King College, 8; Ashland, 6; Belmont Abbey, 5; Drury, 5; Minnesota State, 5; Tusculum, 5; U. of the Incarnate Word, 4; Western New Mexico, 3; Cameron, 1; Ursuline, 1; West Texas A&M, 1.

First-place votes in parenthesis.

Polls conducted by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association.

Women's Golf Heading Back To Nationals

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Barry Buccaneers survived a scare on Tuesday to advance to the NCAA Division II National Championships at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., with a third-place finish in the South/Southeast Super Region 2 Tournament at Lone Palm Golf Club. The Bucs shot a final round 301 to finish behind only tournament winner Lynn and defending national champ Nova Southeastern.

Heading into the final day in third place, the Bucs had moved into a tie for second place heading down the home stretch in the final round. Barry held on, becoming one of three teams from the regional to qualify for the National Championships May 15-18.

It marks the second straight year the Buccaneers qualified for the championships.

“We’re proud of them. It was really windy all week, and we really fought through it well,” head coach Shannon Sykora said. “We realize now that we can compete with the best teams in the country, and we’re pumped to get a chance to go back to the national championship.”

Barry finished the tournament with a 312-294-301 — 907 (+43) score. Their second-round 294 was the low of the tournament for the entire nine-team field over the three rounds. Lynn captured the title, shooting 305-298-297 — 900 (+36), while Nova Southeastern ended up second at 298-306-300 — 904 (+40).

Nicky Ferre continued to lead the Bucs. She finished third individually with a three-round score of 76-72-75 — 223 (+7). Maria Paola Fiorio, who got better each day, finished tied for 13^th at 81-74-73 — 228. Nancy Vergara also had her best round on the last day, finishing tied for 19^th at 77-80-74 — 231. Taylor Babcock completed the Buccaneer entry, tied for 23^rd, after shooting 78-76-79 — 233.

Annie Dulman of Rollins took the individual medal. She shot 74-73-70 — 217. She will advance to the nationals site, along with Teresa Hernani of Lander, who finished sixth after shooting 77-73-75 — 225. The final individual to qualify was Kristen Sammarco of Armstrong Atlantic, who survived a two-hole, three-way playoff.

Barry will be making its third appearance in school history in the NCAA Championships.

RESULTS

Women's Golf Vaults Into Third Place At Super Regional

Mon, 06 May 2013 15:57:00 GMT

LAKELAND, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers made a surge up the leader board at the 2013 NCAA Division II Super Region 2 Tournament at Lone Pine Golf Club on Monday.

The Bucs (+30) fired a tournament-best 294 to vault from sixth to third on the second day of competition. Barry is only three strokes out of first.

The Lynn Knights (+27) jumped from fourth to first after a second-round 298. Nova Southeastern (+28), the first-round leader, dropped to second after shooting 306. Rollins (+33) sits in fourth, while host Florida Southern (+38) is in fifth.

Freshman Nicky Ferre and sophomore Daniela Murray both carded even par 72 to pace the Bucs. Freshman Maria Paola Fiorio carded birdies on the last two holes to finish two strokes back at 74. Taylor Babcock (76) and Nancy Vergara (80) completed the Barry entry.

Samantha Smolen (+2) of Lynn is the individual leader. She was one of four players, including the two Bucs, to shoot par for the day. Annie Dulman (+3) of Rollins and first-round leader Kristen Sammarco (+3) are tied for second. Ferre (+4) and Linnea Johansson (+4) of Nova Southeastern are tied for fourth.

The tournament concludes on Tuesday. The top three teams advance to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla., at LPGA International.

RESULTS

Women's Golf 6th After 1st Round of South Regional

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:53:00 GMT

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf team is in sixth place after shooting 312 in the first round of the NCAA South/Southeast Regional at Lone Palm Golf Club.

Nova Southeastern leads the nine-team, three-day tournament that runs through Tuesday, following its opening-round 298. Host Florida Southern is second, two strokes behind the Sharks. Armstrong Atlantic shot 301, and is third. Lynn is fourth at 305, and Rollins fifth, three strokes ahead of the Buccaneers.

Bucs freshman Nicky Ferre shot 4-over 76 on the 6,149-yard course, and found herself in a four-way tie for 10th on the individual leaderboard. Ferre had three birdies in Sunday's first round, two of which came on par-5 holes.

Barry sophomore Nancy Vergara shot 77, and is in a 10-way tie for 14th. Senior Taylor Babcock shot 78, and is tied for 24th. Vergara had three straight birdies on the back nine, sinking putts on the par-5 11th, par-4 12th and par-3 13th in succession. Babcock birdied the par-4 10th and No. 11.

Sophomore Daniela Murray and freshman Maria Paola Fiorio are tied for 35th after each shot 81. Murray birdied No. 11.

Armstrong's Kristen Sammarco shot a 2-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead over Nova's Linnea Johansson. Florida Southern's Megan Kiley and Nova's Daniela Ortiz both shot 73, and are tied for third. Four players are tied for fifth after shooting 74.

RESULTS

Women's Golf Signs Colombian Player

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:13:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf coach Shannon Sykora announced the signing of Carolina Heredia.

Heredia, a Bogota, Colombia, native will begin competing for the Buccaneers in the fall. She intends to pursue a degree in sport management from Barry's School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences.

"We are very happy to have Carolina join the Barry Bucs," Sykora said. "She is a great athlete who will come in right away and contribute."

Heredia is the fifth-ranked women's amateur player, according to the Colombian Golf Federation.

Heredia won the Colombian Senior National Championship 16-player match-play title March 8-10 at San Andrés Golf Club de Funza. The tournament is the oldest and one of the most respected events in Colombia.

Heredia, the No. 3 seed, beat Ana Maria Uribe, the eighth seed, 6 & 5 in the finals. She won all four of her matches with at least three holes to go.

"She's relatively young to the game, yet she's long off the tee and has a great feel for the game," Sykora said. "We're real excited to have her here at Barry."

Women's Golf Ready for Regional

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:12:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University's No. 5-ranked women's golf team will compete in the NCAA Division II South Regional Sunday-Tuesday at the par 72, 6,149-yard Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland, Fla.

Sunday's tee times begin at 8 a.m.

Barry will compete with host Florida Southern, Nova Southeastern, Lynn, Rollins, Florida Tech, West Florida, Armstrong Atlantic and Newberry for one of three spots to advance to the NCAA Championships. Last year, the Buccaneers qualified for nationals for the second time in school history.

"I think they're definitely excited," Barry coach Shannon Sykora said. "They'll be able to play this tournament without having to worry about school work. Once school and the end-of-semester obligations are over with, going into the tournament helps the girls focus more completely on their golf game."

Senior Taylor Babcock, sophomores Nancy Vergara and Daniela Murray and freshmen Nicky Ferre and Maria Paola Fiorio will try to send the Buccaneers to back-to-back national tournaments. This year's NCAA Championships will be held May 15-18 at LPGA Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla., where the Buccaneers have played twice already this season.

Babcock is coming off a fourth-place individual finish at the Sunshine State Conference Championships after shooting 74-73-78 -- 225. Murray tied for eighth after shooting 79-76-73 -- 228.

"This is what we practice for all year," Sykora said. "I think they're ready for this. I think we've prepared well for this type of pressure. Working toward this tournament, I think we're ready to play our best golf."

NCAA REGIONALS

SOUTH REGIONAL HOME PAGE

LIVE STATS

29th Athletic Awards Banquet

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:27:00 GMT

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — The Barry University Athletic Department celebrated its 29^th Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, April 23 at Jungle Island in Miami. Awards were presented to athletes from every sport.

Tennis swept the athlete o f the year award, with Marco Mokrzycki taking the male award and Linda Fritschken earning the women’s.

Mokrzycki led the men’s tennis team to a Sunshine State Conference title for the second straight year and 10^th time overall. Mokrzycki, a singles and doubles All-American from 2012, is currently 12-2 and ranked fourth in singles and second in doubles, where he has a 15-3 record. He has singles wins this spring over the number one and two players in both NCAA Division II and NAIA.

Fritschken, also a singles All-American from 2012, led the women’s team to the SSC title this spring. It was the fourth straight win for the women and seventh overall. It was also the 50^th SSC title for the Bucs across all sports since joining the league in 1988-89. Fritschken is 16-1 in singles and 22-2 in doubles. She is ranked 33^rd in singles.

The Professor Neill Miller Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award was given to the male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPA while meeting specific criteria for academic progress and athletic participation.

Basketball junior Magne Fivelstad earned male award. He has a 3.825 GPA in finance. After a red-shirt season in 2011-12, he was one of the Bucs key players this year. He was second on the team in scoring at 10.5 points per game and second in rebounding at 5.9 per contest. He led the team in field goal shooting, hitting at a 58.8 percent clip from the floor.

Basketball also took the women’s award. Amanda Frontino, who carries a 3.943 GPA in art with a specialization in graphic design, was the winner. She had her best year as a Buc, starting 11 games and ranking first on the team in +/- stats. She averaged 5.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game and was third on the team in made three-pointers.

For the first time in program history, the women’s tennis team captured the CHAMPS/Lifeskills trophy, which has been dominated by softball and women’s soccer. Women’s soccer finished second, while softball placed third.

Volleyball's Tania Torres earned the Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin Service Award. A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she has been active mentoring young students in a variety of camps and clinics, and participated in National Girls & Women in Sports Day. She is also an outstanding student and is pursuing her goal of attending medical school. In addition, she has tutored students in math, physics and organic chemistry and has volunteered at the Special Olympics, Feeding South Florida and the National Beach Clean-up.

A list of all award winners is listed below:

Softball
BADIA Award	Sarah Broeseker
Rookie of the Year	Megan Copeland

Baseball
Earl S. Oster Senior Leadership Award	Tyler Kinley
Most Valuable Player	Luis Arrizurieta

Women's Soccer
Freshman of the Year	Tamara Vukovich
Leadership Award	Sofia Jakobsson

Volleyball
Red and Black Award	Tania Torres
Coach's Award	Mariana Lisboa

Men's Soccer
Jon Samford MVP Award	Thomas Coombes
Mike Mikulin Most Inspirational Award	Houghton Kinsman

Women’s Basketball
Co-Most Valuable Player	Colette Eule
Co-Most Valuable Player	Tyler Hardy

Men’s Basketball
Most Valuable Player	Justin McCoy
Cesar Odio Play Hard Award	Vladimir Raymonvil

Rowing
Co-Captain	Kristina Boncheva
Co-Captain	Kelly Harrison

Women's Golf
Player of the Year	Taylor Babcock
Team Leadership Award	Daniela Murray

Men's Golf
Carlos Velez Sportsmanship Award	Eirik Groenhaug
Player of the Year	Adam Svensson

Women's Tennis
Most Valuable Player	Linda Fritschken
Freshman of the Year	Emma Onila

Men's Tennis
Most Valuable Player	Marco Mokrzycki
Outstanding Team Leadership	Leo Vivas

Cheerleading
Most Improved	Ashley Hughes
Cheerleader of the Year	Marquet Houston

Athletic Training
Athletic Training Student of the Year	Laysa Fernandez

Professor Emerita Neill L. Miller Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Male	Magne Fivelstad (Basketball)
Female	Amanda Frontino (Basketball)

Athlete of the Year
Male	Marco Mokrzycki (Tennis)
Female	Linda Fritschken (Tennis)

Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin Community Service Award
Tania Torres (Volleyball)

CHAMPS/LifeSkills Competition
First Place	Women's Tennis
Second Place	Women's Soccer
Third Place	Softball

Buccaneers To Stream 29th Annual Athletic Awards Banquet

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:30:00 GMT

MIAMI – The 29^th Annual Barry University Athletic Awards Banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at Jungle Island at 5:00 pm.

The ceremony honors the athletic and academic achievements of Barry’s nearly 200 student-athletes. University faculty and administrators from each school will be present to honor our graduating seniors and over 450 additional individuals will be present for this special event.

The banquet will begin at 5:00 pm with the procession and honoring of our senior Student-Athletes starting at 5:30 pm. The first award will be the Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin Service Award. That is followed by dinner, highlight videos for all 12 teams, the presentation of team awards, including all 12 varsity sports, cheerleading and athletic training. After the presentation of the trophy for the CHAMPS/Lifeskills winner, the banquet concludes with the announcement of the male and female “Professor Emerita Neill Miller Scholar-Athletes of the Year” and male and female Athletes of the Year.

For just the second time, the awards ceremony will be broadcast live on the Buccaneer Broadcasting Network, powered by Stretch Internet. The live broadcast starts at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude around 8:30 p.m. on the Buccaneer Broadcasting Network. Click on the GameCentral logo to access the broadcast.

Bucs Women's Golf No. 5 in Nation

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:32:00 GMT

NEW YORK -- Barry University women's golf team rose to No. 5 in the Golf World/World Golf Coaches Assocation national poll released Thursday.

The Buccaneers, who are expecting a bid to the NCAA South Regional May 5-7 at Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland, have risen two spots in the last two polls. It is the highest ranking in 2013 for the Buccaneers.

"We've been working hard all spring, and we're starting to get some momentum heading into the NCAA Regional," Barry first-year head coach Shannon Sykora said. "We've had to overcome some injuries, and now that everybody's healty we can focus on our conditioning and golf.

"We have to put ourselves in position like we did at the conference championship to achieve our goal to qualify for nationals."

Nova Southeastern remained No. 1 in the poll, followed by St. Edward's, who leapfrogged Lynn. Rollins is fourth and Florida Southern sixth. Tarleton State is seventh, Grand Canyon eighth, Florida Tech ninth and Midwestern State 10th. NSU, Lynn, Rollins, Florida Southern and Florida Tech, like Barry, are all Sunshine State Conference members.

Fellow SSC participant Saint Leo fell from 15 to 20.

The pairings for the NCAA Regionals will be announced April 29 on www.ncaa.com.

Golf World/WGCA Coaches’ Poll
April 22, 2013 Issue
NCAA Women’s Division II

Rank    Team     Points Last
1.      Nova Southeastern (19) 475     1
2.      St. Edward’s    416     3
3.      Lynn    415     2
4.      Rollins 401     5
5.      Barry   386     6
6.      Florida Southern        379     7
7.      Tarleton State 369     4
8.      Grand Canyon    343     8
9.      Florida Tech    300     9
10.     Midwestern State        241     10
11.     UNC Pembroke    239     11
12.     West Florida    229     13
13.     Dallas Baptist 219     14
14.     Newberry        213     16
15.     Armstrong Atlantic State        174     17
16.     Flagler 168     18
17.     Central Oklahoma        165     12
18.     Lander 121     19
19.     Newman 111     22
20.     Saint Leo       107     15
21.     California U. (Pa.)     102     20
22.     Augustana College       69      23
23.     Chico State     67      NR
24.     CSU-Monterey Bay        65      21
25.     Indianapolis    59      24

Also receiving votes: Grand Valley State, 50; S.W. Oklahoma State, 45; Sonoma State, 29; Arkansas Tech, 27; Northeastern State, 27; Academy of Art, 24; Mount Olive, 24; Carson-Newman, 22; Dixie State, 12; Ferris State, 11; Texas A&M-Commerce, 11; Hawaii-Hilo, 9; Point Loma Nazarene, 9; Minnesota State, 8; Notre Dame College, 7; Western New Mexico, 6; Angelo State, 4; Belmont Abbey, 4; U. of the Incarnate Word, 4; Winona State, 3; California Baptist, 2; Bemidji State, 1; Cameron, 1; Drury, 1; Lewis, 1.

First-place votes in parenthesis.
Polls conducted by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association.

Women's Golf Finishes 4th at SSC Championships

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:27:00 GMT

DADE CITY, Fla. -- Daniela Murray shot a 1-over 73 in the final round of the Sunshine State Conference Championships, Taylor Babcock finished fourth individually, and Barry University placed fourth as a team.

The No. 6-ranked Buccaneers shot 309 in the final round, finishing with a three-day, 54-hole total of 919 on the 6,140-yard Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club. Florida Southern and Nova Southeastern tied after the final hole, both shooting 906. Florida Southern won the five-player tiebreaker.

Lynn finished third, five strokes ahead of the Bucs.

Murray had three birdies in the final round, moving up six spots on the leaderboard on the final day. Babcock put together her best tournament of the season, finishing at 9-over 225. Securing her first top-5 finish of the season, Babcock birdied the 325-yard third hole in the final round to finish with seven for the tournament. Murray had six birdies in the tournament.

Nova Southeastern's Lilianna Cammisa won the tournament, shooting par in the final round to finish at 7-over 223. Lynn's Jessica Bradley and Florida Southern's Barbara Vejlupkova tied for second, a stroke ahead of Babcock.

Barry's Nancy Vergara finished in a three-way tie for 19th in the 44-player event, shooting 235 in the 54 holes. Teammate Maria Paola Fiorio was 22nd, following her second straight 79 in the final round. She finished a stroke behind Vergara's group. Fiorio had two birdies Tuesday.

Nicky Ferre used two birdies to shoot 79 in the third round and finish 28th.

In every round of the league tournament, Barry had at least four players shoot in the 70s.

The Bucs will await their postseason fate when the NCAA South Regional pairings are announced Monday, April 29.

RESULTS

Women's Golf Tied for Second at SSC Championships

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:37:00 GMT

DADE CITY, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf team tinkered at the top for a good portion of Monday's second round at the Sunshine State Conference Championships before settling on a tie for second entering the final day of play.

The Bucs shot 301 in the second round, cutting eight strokes off their opening-round total to move to 610 as a team after 36 holes. They are tied with Lynn, who followed up a first day 314 with a 296. Florida Southern leads the nine-team championship field at 604, following a 291 Monday at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club's 6,140-yard course.

Barry's Taylor Babcock shares the lead with Florida Southern's Barbara Vejlupkova at 3-over 147. Babcock, the Buccaneers' lone senior, shot 1-over 73 in the second round after making three birdies for the second consecutive day.

Lynn's Jessica Bradley is third, a stroke behind the co-leaders, while Florida Southern's Jackie Rajek is fourth at 149. Nova Southeastern's Liliana Cammisa and Florida Tech's Felicia's Leftinger are tied for fifth at 151.

Bucs teammate Nancy Vergara is 10th entering Tuesday's final round after shooting 75 Monday to move her two-day total to 153. Her 3-over round consisted of one birdie for the second straight day. Her birdie putt on the 372-yard No. 8 hole dropped her to 1-under for the round, following seven straight pars on the front nine.

Barry's Daniela Murray had two birdies in her second-round 4-over 76. She is tied for 14th at 155. Maria Paola Fiorio birdied two holes on her way to 79, which put her 19th from the top of the leaderboard. Nicole Ferre shot 77 after birdieing the par-3 12th for her first sub-par hole of the tournament. She stands tied for 29th on the 44-player field.

No. 1 Nova Southeastern shot five strokes higher in the second round than the Sharks did in putting up a 303 in the first, and finds itself in fourth, a stroke behind Barry and Lynn.

RESULTS

Women's Golf 2nd After 1st Day of SSC Championships

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:26:00 GMT

DADE CITY, Fla. -- Barry University's No. 6-ranked women's golf team shot 309 in the first round of the Sunshine State Conference Championships Sunday. The Buccaneers are second, trailing first-round leader Nova Southeastern by six strokes entering Monday's second round.

Barry senior Taylor Babcock shot a 2-over 74 on the 6,140-yard Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club course. Babcock is tied for third with Nova's Liliana Cammisa on the individual leaderboard, one stroke behind co-leaders Jessica Bradley of Lynn and Barbara Vejlupkova of Florida Southern.

Babcock had three birdies in the opening round, all of them coming on par-4 holes. Her 74 matched a season-low, which she's shot on six occasions in the 10 events she's competed in since the fall.

Bucs teammates Nancy Vergara and Maria Paola Fiorio each shot 78, and are tied for 11th. Daniela Murray shot 79, and is 18th. Nicky Ferre shot 86 in the opening round. Vergara birdied the par-5, 511-yard 11th hole. Fiorio sank a birdie putt on the 379-yard, par-4 5th. Murray birdied the par-5, 518-yard 13th when she drew to even par with five holes to play in her opening round.

Rollins and Florida Southern are tied for third, four strokes behind the Buccaneers. Nova's Linnea Johansson shot 75, and is fifth on the leaderboard.

The tournament runs through Tuesday. This marks the first year the SSC Championships are spread out over a three-day period with one round each day.

RESULTS

SSC Golf Championships Tees Off Sunday

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:22:00 GMT

DADE CITY, Fla. -- The 2013 Sunshine State Conference Golf Championship is preparing to take the links at Dade City's Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club Sunday, April 14 - Tuesday, April 16. Saint Leo is serving as the host for this year's tournament.

For the first time, the event will be broken into three 18-hole rounds. In past years, the championship consisted of one 36-hole day, followed by an 18-hole final round.

Live scoring for the championship will be available on the Golf Stat website: www.golfstat.com.

As is traditionally the case, the SSC Championship promises to be a competitive event, with a slew of teams ranked among NCAA Division II's best. The latest DII women's golf poll featured seven SSC teams, three of which were ranked among the top five. The men's poll also included seven SSC squads, including four of the top five teams.

In the women's tournament, top-ranked Nova Southeastern will look to win its fourth consecutive conference title. The Sharks reeled off six wins in their first seven tournaments of the 2012-13 season. They claimed the team title at the Yale Intercollegiate, the Guy Harvey Invitational, the Saint Leo Invitational, the Lady Moc Classic, the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational, and the Bucknell Women's Invitational.

Nationally ranked at No. 2, Lynn will look to win its first league crown. The Fighting Knights have finished in the top five of all eight of their tournaments, posting four wins and three runner-up finishes. Lynn's team victories came at the NCAA Preview, the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate, the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invitational, and Embry-Riddle's Bash at the Beach. The Knights notched second-place finishes at the Saint Leo Invitational, Lady Moc Classic, and the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational.

Ranked No. 5 in the latest poll, Rollins has registered five top-five finishes in eight events. The Tars won the Daytona State Invitational and were runner-up at the Guy Harvey Invitational. Rollins was the last team since Nova Southeastern to claim the SSC Championship, winning the event in 2009.

Barry (No. 6), Florida Southern (No. 7), Florida Tech (No. 9) and Saint Leo (No. 15) also appear in the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Women's Golf Poll.

Sitting just outside the top-five, No. 6 Barry has collected a top-five finish in seven of its eight tournaments. The Buccaneers topped the field at the Flagler Fall Slam and finished second at the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invitational.

Competition for the SSC men's crown promises to be equally exciting, with four of the top five teams in NCAA Division II teeing off at Lake Jovita.

No. 1 Nova Southeastern will look to win its third consecutive conference championship. Competing in eight events in 2012-13, the Sharks have either won or placed second in seven of them. Their team victories came at the Guy Harvey Invitational, the St. Edward's Invitational, and their last event, the Buccaneer Invitational. A runner-up finish was logged at the Brickyard Championship, the CSU-Monterey Bay Otter Invitational, Rollins' McDonough Cup, and the GCSU Bobcat Invitational.

Ranked No. 2 in the most recent Nike Division II Men's Golf Poll, Barry has also either won or finished runner-up in seven of its nine tournaments. The Buccaneers claimed team victories at the Brickyard Invitational, Florida Southern's Matlock Classic, and the Southeastern Collegiate. The Bucs placed second at the Flagler, Guy Harvey, St. Edward's, and the Buccaneer invitationals.

Holding down the No. 4 spot in the poll, Florida Southern has finished top-five in six of seven events this season. The Moccasins won the Columbus State Cougar Invitational. They were runner-up at the Matlock Classic and Southeastern Collegiate. Florida Southern is the last team since NSU to win the SSC Men's Golf Championship, taking home the trophy in 2010.

Lynn is the fourth SSC team in the poll's top-five, rounding out the ranks in the No. 5 slot. The Fighting Knights have placed in the top five in all six of their events. They have four wins to their credit, finishing atop the leaderboard at the Donald Ross Intercollegiate, Rollins' McDonough Cup, the Saint Leo Invitational, and the GCSU Bobcat Invitational.

Rollins (No. 16), Florida Tech (received votes) and Saint Leo (received votes) also appear in the latest DII men's golf poll.

Admission to the SSC Golf Championship is free. Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club is located at 12900 Lake Jovita Boulevard, Dade City, FL 33525.

Visit sunshinestateconference.com for the latest news and info on Sunshine State Conference Athletics.

Women's Golf 3rd at U.S. Women's Invitational

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:04:00 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Barry University women's golf team finished third in the United States Women's Invitational Tuesday. The No. 6-ranked Buccaneers shot 309 in the final round to finish with a three-round score of 931 in the 10-team event.

Florida Tech won the tournament after shooting 299 in the final round to edge out runner-up Florida Southern by one stroke as the Panthers finished at 918. FSC shot 308 in the final round.

Four Buccaneers shot in the 70s Tuesday on the 6,094-yard, par-72 Pine Island Country Club course. Maria Paola Fiorio finished ninth, following her third-round 76 and 231 54-hole total. She shot in the 70s all three rounds to record her second straight and third overall top-10 finish this season.

Nicky Ferre tied for 10th after shooting 77 in the final round. She finished at 233 in the tournament to notch her seventh top-10 finish this season. Nancy Vergara tied for 13th at 235 after carding a 79 Tuesday. Vergara has four top-15 finishes, despite missing two tournaments due to an injury.

Daniela Murray tied for 17th at 237 after her closing-round 77. She has three top-20 finishes this season. Taylor Babcock tied for 20th at 239 after shooting 80 in the final round. Babcock has six top-20 finishes in 2012-13.

Florida Tech's Jessica Hook won the tournament at 225, following her 2-over 74 in the third round. Teammate Rachel Polson, Florida Southern's Barbara Vejlupkova, Newberry's Lisa Brandl and Flagler's Olivia Ferrer all tied for second, a stroke behind Hook. Vejlupokova shot a tournament-low 72 in the final round.

Barry will compete in the Sunshine State Conference Championships next Monday-Tuesday at Lake Jovita Country Club in Lake Jovita, Fla.

RESULTS

Women's Golf 4th After Day 1 of U.S. Women's Invite

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:31:00 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Barry University's No. 6-ranked women's golf team is fourth after 36 holes at the United States Women's Invitational hosted by Belmont Abbey.

The Bucs shot 315-307 -- 622 in the opening two rounds on the Pine Island Country Club 6,094-yard, par-72 course. Florida Southern leads the tournament after shooting 303-308 -- 611. Florida Tech is second at 314-305 -- 619. Newberry is third, one stroke ahead of the Buccaneers after shooting 307-314- 621.

Barry's Maria Paola Fiorio shot 77-78 -- 155 to fall into a tie for 11th after the first two rounds. Fiorio had three birdies in the opening round and one more in the second.

Bucs teammates Nicky Ferre and Nancy Vergara are tied for 13th. Ferre shot 81-75 -- 156, with a birdie on the 382-yard No. 5 in the second round. Vergara shot 76-80 -- 156, sinking a birdie putt on the 166-yard 17th hole in the opening round.

Taylor Babcock shot 84-75 -- 159, and is 20th individually. Babcock had two birdies in the second round and one in the first. Daniela Murray shot 81-79 -- 160, and is tied for 21st. Murray birdied the 351-yard ninth hole in the second round.

Flagler's Olivia Ferrer shot 2-over 146 with back-to-back 73s to take a two-stroke lead into Tuesday's final round. Newberry's Lisa Brandl and Florida Southern's Megan Kiley are tied for second at 148. UNC-Pembroke's Meghan Moore is fourth at 149, while FSC's Emily Rymer and Florida Tech's Jessica Hook are tied for fifth at 151.

Flagler is five strokes behind Barry in fifth place.

United States Women's Invite
Pine Island Country Club
Charlotte, NC
Dates: Apr 08 - Apr 09
Pos. Team/Player (seed) Rd 1 Rd 2 Total
1 Florida Southern 303 308 611
T2 Megan Kiley (1) 72 76 148
T5 Emily Rymer (4) 77 74 151
T9 Barbara Vejlupkova (2) 77 77 154
19 Jackie Rajek (5) 77 81 158
T21 Amy Hodgkinson (3) 78 82 160

2 Florida Tech 314 305 619
T5 Jessica Hook (3) 77 74 151
T7 Rachel Polson (1) 77 75 152
T7 Felicia Leftinger (2) 77 75 152
39 Jara Templet (4) 87 81 168
T44 Anna Johnsson (5) 83 91 174

3 Newberry College 307 314 621
T2 Lisa Brandl (1) 72 76 148
T16 Korey Coleman (5) 78 79 157
25 Eline Askeland (2) 79 82 161
T26 Julia Daneshfar (3) 78 84 162
T40 Natalia Perez (4) 92 77 169

4 Barry 315 307 622
T11 Maria Paola Fiorio (1) 77 78 155
T13 Nicole Ferre (3) 81 75 156
T13 Nancy Vergara (5) 76 80 156
20 Taylor Babcock (2) 84 75 159
T21 Daniela Murray (4) 81 79 160

5 Flagler College 313 314 627
1 Olivia Ferrer (2) 73 73 146
T11 Stephanie Tucker (3) 77 78 155
T26 Nicole Keyser (5) 80 82 162
T31 Marie Santacroce (1) 83 81 164
47 Danielle Welker (4) 83 96 179

6 UNC - Pembroke 318 313 631
4 Meghan Moore (1) 73 76 149
T16 Shauna Walor (2) 79 78 157
30 Elizabeth Bundy (3) 83 80 163
T31 Kelly Sumner (5) 85 79 164
T37 Jennifer Crow (4) 83 84 167

T7 Midwestern State 319 320 639
T16 Brenna Moore (3) 79 78 157
T21 Kendra Whittley (2) 80 80 160
T26 Lauren Romines (5) 83 79 162
T31 Taylor Klutts (1) 78 86 164
T34 Lindsay Burkhart (4) 82 83 165

T7 St. Leo 320 319 639
T9 Lauren Shuford (3) 81 73 154
T13 Clare Connolly (2) 78 78 156
T26 Lauren Petty (1) 79 83 162
T37 Heather Petronis (4) 82 85 167
T50 Alyssa Barrett (5) 93 91 184

9 Columbus State U 335 350 685
T34 Heather Altiser (2) 81 84 165
T34 Madison Williams (3) 86 79 165
T42 Kristin Galek (1) 85 86 171
T50 Ciera Bagley (4) 83 101 184

10 Belmont Abbey 342 346 688
T21 Rebecca Mirovich (1) 82 78 160
T40 Becca Kasten (3) 85 84 169
46 Sarah King (4) 85 92 177
49 Jenn Weiland (2) 90 92 182
52 Colleen Sholtes (5) 98 93 191

Individuals
Pos. Player (Team) Rd 1 Rd 2 Total
T42 Alexa Clark (Queens University of Charlotte) 87 84 171
T44 Marissa Marinan (Flagler College) 93 81 174
48 Stephanie Yocum (Queens University of Charlotte) 84 96 180
53 Margo Slonkosky (Belmont Abbey) 111 103 214

Women's Golf Ranked 6th in Nation

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:16:00 GMT

NEW YORK -- Barry University women's golf team is ranked No. 6 in the most recent Golf World/Women's Golf Coaches Association national poll.

The Buccaneers moved up one spot, having been ranked No. 7 in the last poll.

Nova Southeastern received all 17 first-place votes to remain No. 1. Lynn moved up from No. 3 to No. 2, while St. Edward's fell one spot to No. 3. Tarleton State vaulted two spots from No. 6 to No. 4, and Rollins slipped from No. 4 to No. 5.

With Florida Southern ranked No. 7 and Florida Tech No. 9, six Sunshine State Conference schools are represented in the top-10. Fellow SSC member Saint Leo is No. 15.

Barry will compete in the the United States Women's Invitational Monday and Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C., in the final regular season tournament.

Golf World/WGCA Coaches’ Poll
April 8, 2013 Issue
NCAA Women’s Division II

Rank Team Points Last

1. Nova Southeastern (17) 425 1
2. Lynn 387 3
3. St. Edward’s 384 2
4. Tarleton State 343 6
5. Rollins 339 4
6. Barry 321 7
7. Florida Southern 298 5
8. Grand Canyon 296 8
9. Florida Tech 277 9
10. Midwestern State 273 12
11. UNC Pembroke 228 10
12. Central Oklahoma 204 14
13. West Florida 195 13
14. Dallas Baptist 181 11
15. Saint Leo 168 15
16. Newberry 140 19
17. Armstrong Atlantic State 127 18
18. Flagler 123 17
19. Lander 101 25
20. California U. (Pa.) 93 16
21. CSU-Monterey Bay 90 21
22. Newman 80 23
23. Augustana College 76 22
24. Indianapolis 55 NR
25. S.W. Oklahoma State 54 20

Also receiving votes: Grand Valley State, 47; Chico State, 41; Northeastern State, 35; Mount Olive, 24; Hawaii-Hilo, 21; Sonoma State, 19; Academy of Art, 15; Northwest Missouri State, 11; Arkansas Tech, 10; Carson-Newman, 10; Lincoln Memorial, 6; The Incarnate Word, 5; West Texas A&M, 5; Columbus State, 4; Tusculum, 4; Coker, 3; Drury, 3; King College, 2; Cameron, 1; Colorado Christian, 1.

Women's Golf Runner-up at SMSU Spring Invite

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:49:00 GMT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Barry women's golf team finished second at the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invite Friday on the course where the NCAA Division II Championships will be held in mid-May.

The Buccaneers shot 299 in the final round, trimming 23 strokes off their opening-day total, to claim the runner-up honor on the 6,098-yard LPGA International Legends Course. The Bucs finished with a 36-hole total of 621. Lynn won the tournament at 34-over 610. Flagler was third at 636, Indiana State fourth at 645, and William Woods (Mo.) fifth at 646.

Barry freshman Maria Paola Fiorio shot par in the final round, climbing seven spots on the individual leader board to finish fourth at 9-over 153. Her 72 Friday was the best round of her young Buccaneer career.

Lynn's Ellen Chambers won the tournament, shooting 79-71 -- 150. Fighting Knights teammate Louise Manalo tied for second with Flagler's Marie Santacroce, two strokes back.

Three Buccaneers tied for ninth with Indiana State's Amanda Smith at 157. Barry's Taylor Babcock, Nicky Ferre and Daniela Murray all were 13-over. Babcock had a 2-over 74 in the final round, and Ferre was 4-over in the second round. Murray, who played as an individual, shot 78 Friday. Fellow Bucs Francesca Perini and Nancy Vergara shot 160 and 161, respectively. Perini tied for 17th, and Vergara finished 21st.

The Bucs, ranked No. 7 in the nation, are off for three weeks. They will compete in the United States Women's Invitational in Charlotte, N.C., April 8-9.

SMSU Spring Invite
LPGA International Legends Course
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Dates: 3/14-15/2013
Par 72, 6098 yards
Fin. Team Scores Total Par
1 Lynn (FL)...................... 315 295 610 +34
2 Barry (FL)..................... 322 299 621 +45
3 Flagler (Fla.)................. 321 315 636 +60
4 Indiana State.................. 331 314 645 +69
5 William Woods (MO)............. 332 314 646 +70
6 California (PA)................ 340 316 656 +80
7 Northwood (FL)................. 341 330 671 +95
8 Minnesota State................ 353 342 695 +119
9 Southwest Minnesota State...... 374 361 735 +159
10 Marian (IN).................... 383 375 758 +182

Fin. Player Team Scores Total Par
1 Chambers, Ellen...... Lynn (FL)...................... 79 71 150 +6
t 2 Manalo, Louise....... Lynn (FL)...................... 76 76 152 +8
t 2 Marie Santacroce..... Flagler (Fla.)................. 77 75 152 +8
4 Paola Fiorio, Maria.. Barry (FL)..................... 81 72 153 +9
t 5 Calvo, Irene......... Lynn (FL)...................... 80 75 155 +11
t 5 Ferrer, Alejandra.... William Woods (MO)............. 79 76 155 +11
t 5 Smolen, Samantha..... Lynn (FL)...................... 80 75 155 +11
8 Bradley, Jessic...... Lynn (FL)...................... 82 74 156 +12
t 9 Babcock, Taylor...... Barry (FL)..................... 83 74 157 +13
t 9 Ferre, Nicky......... Barry (FL)..................... 81 76 157 +13
t 9 Murray, Daniela...... Barry (FL)..................... 79 78 157 +13
t 9 Amanda Smith......... Indiana State.................. 79 78 157 +13
t 13 Buritica, Estefania.. Lynn (FL)...................... 81 77 158 +14
t 13 Olivia Ferrer........ Flagler (Fla.)................. 81 77 158 +14
t 15 Hassan, Myrian....... William Woods (MO)............. 79 80 159 +15
t 15 Peacock, Jodie....... William Woods (MO)............. 83 76 159 +15
t 17 Emily Dixon.......... Indiana State.................. 83 77 160 +16
t 17 Perini, Francesca.... Barry (FL)..................... 77 83 160 +16
t 17 Thomas, Kim.......... California (PA)................ 84 76 160 +16
t 17 Stephanie Tucker..... Flagler (Fla.)................. 82 78 160 +16
21 Vergara, Nancy....... Barry (FL)..................... 84 77 161 +17
22 Winfield, Tarah...... Northwood (FL)................. 86 76 162 +18
t 23 Lopez, Maria......... California (PA)................ 84 80 164 +20
t 23 Rosario, Inez del.... California (PA)................ 83 81 164 +20
t 25 Christina Beyerl..... Indiana State.................. 88 77 165 +21
t 25 Felip, Anna.......... Northwood (FL)................. 84 81 165 +21
27 Reece Feducia........ Indiana State.................. 84 82 166 +22
t 28 Bjorklund, Emma...... Northwood (FL)................. 87 80 167 +23
t 28 McCall Christopher... Indiana State.................. 85 82 167 +23
30 Danielle Welker...... Flagler (Fla.)................. 87 81 168 +24
t 31 Selberg, Dani........ Minnesota State................ 84 85 169 +25
t 31 Sethasompobe, Kanya.. Minnesota State................ 87 82 169 +25
33 Weiszhaar, Krista.... Southwest Minnesota State...... 82 88 170 +26
t 34 Aranda, Lorena....... California (PA)................ 89 82 171 +27
t 34 Johansson, Micaela... Northwood (FL)................. 87 84 171 +27
t 34 Megan McCracken...... Flagler (Fla.)................. 81 90 171 +27
37 Vanderham, Cara...... California (PA)................ 93 79 172 +28
38 Palermo, Jamie....... William Woods (MO)............. 91 82 173 +29
t 39 Johnson, Lindsey..... William Woods (MO)............. 92 82 174 +30
t 39 Nicole Keyser........ Flagler (Fla.)................. 89 85 174 +30
41 Gina Della Camera.... Indiana State.................. 89 87 176 +32
42 Pearson, Heather..... Northwood (FL)................. 88 89 177 +33
t 43 LaFoca, Brianna...... Northwood (FL)................. 84 95 179 +35
t 43 Post, Taylor......... Minnesota State................ 88 91 179 +35
45 Faraghan, Sammie..... California (PA)................ 90 91 181 +37
46 Knight, Molly........ Marian (IN).................... 92 92 184 +40
47 Kirschner, Katie..... Marian (IN).................... 91 95 186 +42
48 Verchere, Marine..... California (PA)................ 97 90 187 +43
t 49 Gruber, Abby......... Southwest Minnesota State...... 98 90 188 +44
t 49 Schieck, Rebekah..... Minnesota State................ 99 89 188 +44
t 51 Dennis, Katie........ Marian (IN).................... 97 92 189 +45
t 51 Holder, Darrah....... Marian (IN).................... 100 89 189 +45
t 53 Bohlig, Bobbie....... Minnesota State................ 94 96 190 +46
t 53 Gudim, Haley......... Southwest Minnesota State...... 96 94 190 +46
55 Hicks, Kristen....... Marian (IN).................... 95 96 191 +47
t 56 Campeau, Marissa..... Southwest Minnesota State...... 98 96 194 +50
t 56 Patnoe, Rachel....... Southwest Minnesota State...... 105 89 194 +50
58 Barker, Jordan....... Marian (IN).................... 98 98 196 +52
59 Lecher, Tara......... Marian (IN).................... 99 99 198 +54
60 Reed, Brooke......... Marian (IN).................... 101 99 200 +56
t 61 Kienitz, Trisha...... Southwest Minnesota State...... 106 96 202 +58
t 61 Van Amber, Hannah.... Minnesota State................ 102 100 202 +58
63 McQueen, Ashley...... Marian (IN).................... 108 95 203 +59
64 Vreeman, Emaleigh.... Southwest Minnesota State...... 95 109 204 +60
65 Ericson, Marlee...... Minnesota State................ 102 105 207 +63
66 Koepp, Becky......... Southwest Minnesota State...... 112 100 212 +68
67 Schwartz, Katelyn.... Southwest Minnesota State...... 105 108 213 +69
68 Ahmay, Jordan........ Marian (IN).................... 112 107 219 +75
Kunst, Tabitha....... Minnesota State................ - 84 DNF

Women's Golf 3rd After 1st Round of SMSU Invite

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:31:00 GMT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Barry University's No. 7-ranked women's golf team is in third place after the first round of the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invite Thursday.

The Buccaneers shot 322 on the par 72, 6,098-yard LPGA Legends Course, and sit a stroke behind second place Flagler. Lynn leads the tournament, seven strokes ahead of the Buccaneers. Indiana State is fourth at 331, and William Woods (Mo.) fifth at 332 in the 10-team field.

Barry sophomore Francesca Perini shot 5-over 77 in the opening round, and is a stroke behind leader Louise Manalo of Lynn. Perini is tied with Flagler's Marie Santacroce. Five players are tied for fourth, including Barry's Daniela Murray, who while playing as an individual, shot 79.

Buccaneers freshmen Nicky Ferre and Maria Paola Fiorio both shot 81, and are tied for 11th. Taylor Babcock shot 83, and is tied for 19th. Nancy Vergara, making her return after missing the past two spring events, shot 84, and is tied for 23rd in the 69-player field.

Lynn's Ellen Chambers, Indiana State's Amanda Smith and William Woods' Alejandra Ferrer and Myrian Hassan are all lumped in the tie for fourth with Murray after shooting 7-over in the first round.

The tournament concludes with Friday's second round.

SMSU Spring Invite
LPGA International Legends Course
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Dates: 3/14-15/2013
1st Round Scores
Par 72, 6098 yards (10 teams, 69 players)

Lynn (FL)..................... 315 +27 1st
Manalo, Louise................ 76 +4 1st
Chambers, Ellen............... 79 +7 t- 4th
Calvo, Irene.................. 80 +8 t- 9th
Smolen, Samantha.............. 80 +8 t- 9th
Buritica, Estefania#.......... 81 +9 t-11th
Bradley, Jessic............... 82 +10 t-16th

Flagler (Fla.)................ 321 +33 2nd
Marie Santacroce.............. 77 +5 t- 2nd
Olivia Ferrer................. 81 +9 t-11th
Megan McCracken............... 81 +9 t-11th
Stephanie Tucker.............. 82 +10 t-16th
Danielle Welker#.............. 87 +15 t-33rd
Nicole Keyser................. 89 +17 t-40th

Barry (FL).................... 322 +34 3rd
Perini, Francesca............. 77 +5 t- 2nd
Murray, Daniela#.............. 79 +7 t- 4th
Ferre, Nicky.................. 81 +9 t-11th
Paola Fiorio, Maria........... 81 +9 t-11th
Babcock, Taylor............... 83 +11 t-19th
Vergara, Nancy................ 84 +12 t-23rd

Indiana State................. 331 +43 4th
Amanda Smith.................. 79 +7 t- 4th
Emily Dixon................... 83 +11 t-19th
Reece Feducia................. 84 +12 t-23rd
McCall Christopher............ 85 +13 31st
Christina Beyerl.............. 88 +16 t-37th
Gina Della Camera#............ 89 +17 t-40th

William Woods (MO)............ 332 +44 5th
Ferrer, Alejandra............. 79 +7 t- 4th
Hassan, Myrian................ 79 +7 t- 4th
Peacock, Jodie................ 83 +11 t-19th
Palermo, Jamie................ 91 +19 t-44th
Johnson, Lindsey.............. 92 +20 t-46th

California (PA)............... 340 +52 6th
Rosario, Inez del............. 83 +11 t-19th
Lopez, Maria.................. 84 +12 t-23rd
Thomas, Kim................... 84 +12 t-23rd
Aranda, Lorena................ 89 +17 t-40th
Faraghan, Sammie#............. 90 +18 43rd
Vanderham, Cara............... 93 +21 48th
Verchere, Marine#............. 97 +25 t-53rd

Northwood (FL)................ 341 +53 7th
Felip, Anna................... 84 +12 t-23rd
LaFoca, Brianna............... 84 +12 t-23rd
Winfield, Tarah............... 86 +14 32nd
Bjorklund, Emma#.............. 87 +15 t-33rd
Johansson, Micaela............ 87 +15 t-33rd
Pearson, Heather.............. 88 +16 t-37th

Minnesota State............... 343 +55 8th
Kunst, Tabitha................ 84 +12 t-23rd
Selberg, Dani................. 84 +12 t-23rd
Sethasompobe, Kanya........... 87 +15 t-33rd
Post, Taylor.................. 88 +16 t-37th
Bohlig, Bobbie................ 94 +22 49th
Schieck, Rebekah#............. 99 +27 t-58th
Ericson, Marlee#.............. 102 +30 t-62nd
Van Amber, Hannah#............ 102 +30 t-62nd

Southwest Minnesota State..... 374 +86 9th
Weiszhaar, Krista............. 82 +10 t-16th
Vreeman, Emaleigh#............ 95 +23 t-50th
Gudim, Haley.................. 96 +24 52nd
Campeau, Marissa.............. 98 +26 t-55th
Gruber, Abby.................. 98 +26 t-55th
Patnoe, Rachel................ 105 +33 t-64th
Schwartz, Katelyn#............ 105 +33 t-64th
Kienitz, Trisha#.............. 106 +34 66th
Koepp, Becky#................. 112 +40 t-68th

Marian (IN)................... 383 +95 10th
Kirschner, Katie#............. 91 +19 t-44th
Knight, Molly................. 92 +20 t-46th
Hicks, Kristen................ 95 +23 t-50th
Dennis, Katie................. 97 +25 t-53rd
Barker, Jordan#............... 98 +26 t-55th
Lecher, Tara.................. 99 +27 t-58th
Holder, Darrah#............... 100 +28 60th
Reed, Brooke#................. 101 +29 61st
McQueen, Ashley............... 108 +36 67th
Ahmay, Jordan#................ 112 +40 t-68th

# Indicates individual player

No. 7 Women's Golf Competes in SW Minnesota St. Invite

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:10:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University's No. 7-ranked women's golf team will compete in the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invitational Thursday and Friday at LPGA Legends Course in Daytona Beach.

Barry will be playing the Legends Course for the second time this season. It is also the site of the NCAA Championships in May.

The Buccaneers remained No. 7 in the NCAA Division II poll conducted by the Women's Golf Coaches Association released this week. It marks the second straight month the Buccaneers are ranked seventh in the country.

In the first tournament of the 2012-13 season, the Bucs finished second out of 13 teams at LPGA Legends, shooting 618 in the two-round NCAA Division II Fall Preview Sept. 17-18. Barry freshman Nicky Ferre was ninth on the individual leader board, carding an 8-over 152 in the event -- her first as a Buccaneer. Bucs teammates Paola Grande and Taylor Babcock tied for 18th in that tournament, both shooting 11-over 155.

Lynn won the Fall Preview, and will compete in this week's event as well. A total of 10 teams are scheduled to vie for the SMSS Spring Invitational title.

Golf World/WGCA Coaches’ Poll

March 18, 2013 Issue

NCAA Women’s Division II

Rank Team Points Last

1. Nova Southeastern (17) 425 1

2. St. Edward’s 379 3

3. Lynn 353 4

4. Rollins 349 2

5. Florida Southern 344 6

6. Tarleton State 341 5

7. Barry 318 7

8. Grand Canyon 279 10

9. Florida Tech 246 13

10. UNC Pembroke 215 9

11. Dallas Baptist 214 15

12. Midwestern State 212 8

13. West Florida 188 17

14. Central Oklahoma 182 12

15. Saint Leo 175 11

16. California U. (Pa.) 164 14

17. Flagler 150 T-20

18. Armstrong Atlantic State 149 22

19. Newberry 133 16

20. S.W. Oklahoma State 124 19

21. CSU-Monterey Bay 98 18

22. Augustana College 96 23

23. Newman 90 T-20

24. Grand Valley State 86 NR

25. Lander 55 NR

Also receiving votes: Academy of Art, 46; Sonoma State, 40; Indianapolis, 37; Hawaii-Hilo, 34; Western New Mexico, 28; Carson-Newman, 27; Angelo State, 24; Mount Olive, 24; Northeastern State, 24; Cameron, 21; Chico State, 21; Point Loma Nazarene, 17; Ferris State, 15; U. of The Incarnate Word, 15; Ashland, 14; California Baptist, 14; Tusculum, 13; Columbus State, 11; Dixie, 8; Drury, 8; Western Washington, 7; Arkansas Tech, 5; Ohio Dominion, 4; Shorter, 4; Concordia U. (St. Paul), 3; Belmont Abbey, 2; Findlay, 1; Notre Dame College, 1; Rockhurst, 1.

First-place votes in parenthesis.

Polls conducted by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. Voting closed March 8, 2013

Sykora Named Women's Golf Head Coach

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:19:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Shannon Sykora was named head coach of Barry University women’s golf team Monday. Sykora previously held the title of acting head coach, serving in that capacity since last June.

“I feel fortunate to be taking over the women’s golf program, and I look forward to building on our past success,” Sykora said. “I’m grateful to the university for giving me the opportunity to continue fostering success in the classroom and on the golf course.”

Sykora spent the previous two seasons as the men’s and women’s golf teams’ assistant coach. Last year, he helped the Buccaneers women’s program to a fourth place finish at the NCAA Championships in Louisville. The men’s team finished tied for fifth after advancing to the quarterfinals of match play.

Prior to arriving at Barry, Sykora was first assistant golf professional at Teton Pines Country Club in Jackson, Wyo. There, he was the lead junior instructor.

Sykora played professionally for 12 years, competing in two PGA Tour tournaments. He made the cut at the B.C. Open in Endicott, N.Y. He won 11 tournaments on the North Atlantic Tour, and was named the 1998 NAT Player of the Year. He also was the leading money winner on the tour that season.

The Buccaneers will compete Thursday and Friday in the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invite at International Legends Course in Daytona Beach.

Women's Golf Takes 5th at Peggy Kirk Bell

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:33:00 GMT

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf team finished fifth at the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational Tuesday after shooting a final round 308 for a 925 54-hole total in the 11-team, three-round tournament hosted by Rollins College.

The Buccaneers were 61-over on the 6,089-yard Tuscawilla Country Club course. Nova Southeastern won the event with a 22-over 886. Lynn was second at 56-over 920, and Rollins and St. Edward's tied for third at 921. It was Nova's fifth straight title in the tournament. The Sharks' 886 established a new event record, eclipsing their old mark by 12 strokes set in 2009.

Barry's Taylor Babcock continued her stronger spring quest, finishing tied for sixth after shooting back-to-back 74s in the final two rounds. A senior from Oregon, Babcock finished at 11-over 227, tied with Nova Southeastern's Lilliana Cammisa.

NSU's Linnea Johansson shot 1-under 71-72-72 -- 215 to win the tournament by seven strokes over teammate Daniela Ortiz. Nova's Abbey Gittings was third, a stroke behind Ortiz, as the Sharks trio finished at the top of the leaderboard.

Barry's Nicky Ferre tied for 10th, shooting 3-over 75 in the final round for a 229 two-day total. Maria Paola Fiorio and Francesca Perini tied for 23rd at 235. Daniela Murray tied for 33rd at 240.

Barry will compete in the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invite Mar. 14-15 at the LPGA International Legends Course in Daytona Beach.

Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational
Tuscawilla Country Club
Winter Springs, FL
Dates: 3/4-5/2013
Par 72, 6089 yards

Fin.  Top 20 teams                     Scores         Total    Par 
   1  Nova Southeastern..............  295  295  296    886    +22
   2  Lynn University................  308  299  313    920    +56
t  3  Rollins College................  314  306  301    921    +57
t  3  St. Edward's Univ..............  306  303  312    921    +57
   5 Barry University............... 316 301 308 925 +61
   6  Florida Southern College.......  310  301  317    928    +64
   7  Univ. of West Florida..........  324  303  315    942    +78
   8  Florida Tech...................  310  318  324    952    +88
   9  Carson-Newman College..........  327  332  323    982   +118
  10  Saint Leo Univ.................  336  320  336    992   +128
  11  Florida Southern 'B'...........  321  340  341   1002   +138



Fin. Top 20 Players Team Scores Total Par 
   1  Linnea Johansson..... Nova Southeastern..............   71   72   72    215     -1
   2  Daniela Ortiz........ Nova Southeastern..............   74   72   76    222     +6
   3  Abbey Gittings....... Nova Southeastern..............   75   72   76    223     +7
t  4  Ellen Chambers....... Lynn University................   74   76   75    225     +9
t  4  Ryanne Haddow........ St. Edward's Univ..............   73   73   79    225     +9
t 6 Taylor Babcock....... Barry University............... 79 74 74 227 +11
t  6  Lilliana Cammisa..... Nova Southeastern..............   75   80   72    227    +11
t  8  Rachel Polson........ Florida Tech...................   74   77   77    228    +12
t  8  Clara Teixeira....... Rollins College................   80   76   72    228    +12
t 10  Jessica Bradley...... Lynn University................   77   77   75    229    +13
t 10 Nicole Ferre......... Barry University............... 79 75 75 229 +13
t 10  Amy Hodgkinson....... Florida Southern College.......   76   76   77    229    +13
t 10  Megan Kiley.......... Florida Southern College.......   77   73   79    229    +13
t 10  Lauren Petty......... Saint Leo Univ.................   80   72   77    229    +13
t 10  Momo Sakuragi........ Rollins College................   77   74   78    229    +13
t 10  Kayla Sciupider...... Rollins College................   77   76   76    229    +13
t 17  Aimee Paterson....... Univ. of West Florida..........   81   74   76    231    +15
t 17  Wallis Spears........ St. Edward's Univ..............   78   74   79    231    +15
t 19  Melisa Gonzalez...... St. Edward's Univ..............   78   78   77    233    +17
t 19  Haley Haught......... St. Edward's Univ..............   77   79   77    233    +17
t 19  Rachel Lewis......... Nova Southeastern..............   78   79   76    233    +17

Barry University	316	301	308	925	+61	5th
Taylor Babcock	79	74	74	227	+11	t-6th
Nicole Ferre	79	75	75	229	+13	t-10th
Maria Paola Fiorio	81	75	79	235	+19	t-23rd
Francesca Perini	78	77	80	235	+19	t-23rd
Daniela Murray	80	79	81	240	+24	t-33rd

Nova Southeastern wins fifth straight Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational title
NSU shoots tournament record 886, to eclipse its old mark of 898 set in 2009
NSU's Linnea Johansson takes home indiviudual medalist honors

Bucs Bounce Back in Peggy Kirk Women's Golf Tournament

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:46:00 GMT

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf team shot 316-301 -- 617 in the opening two rounds of the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational Monday hosted by Rollins College.

After a first round in which the Buccaneers occupied the seventh spot on the team leaderboard following play in poor conditions on the par-72, 6,089-yard Tuscawilla Country Club course, Barry recovered to move up two spots while trimming 15 strokes of its team total in Round 2.

"I'm pleased with the way we bounced back in the second round in still pretty tough conditions," Bucs acting head coach Shannon Sykora said. "We put ourselves in a good position to move up the board tomorrow."

Taylor Babcock shot 79-74 -- 153, and is tied for 12th. Nicky Ferre shot 79-75 -- 154, and is tied for 14th. Francesca Perini is tied for 17th, following a 78-77 -- 155. Maria Paola Fiorio shot 81-75 -- 156, and is tied for 23rd. Daniela Murray is tied for 33rd at 159 after shooting 80-79.

Nova Southeastern leads the event with back-to-back 295s for a 590 through the second round, anchored by individual tournament leader Linnea Johansson's 1-under 71-72 -- 143. Sharks teammate Daniela Ortiz is tied for second, three strokes behind Johansson. St. Edward's Ryanne Haddow is also tied for second at 2-over 146.

NSU's Abbey Gittings is fourth at 147, while Lynn's Ellen Chambers and Florida Southern's Megan Kiley are fifth at 6-over 150.

Lynn is second in the team standings at 607, St. Edward's is third, two strokes in back of the Fighting Knights, and Florida Southern fourth at 611.

The final round is set for Tuesday morning.

Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational
Dates: 03/04-03/05, 2013
Round: 2
Par-Yardage: 72-6089

1 Nova Southeastern U. 295 295 590 +14
2 Lynn University 308 299 607 +31
3 St. Edwards Univ. 306 303 609 +33
4 Florida Southern 310 301 611 +35
5 Barry University 316 301 617 +41
6 Rollins 314 306 620 +44
7 West Florida, U of 324 303 627 +51
8 Florida Tech 310 318 628 +52
9 Saint Leo University 336 320 656 +80
10 Carson Newman Coll 327 332 659 +83
11 Florida Southern B 321 340 661 +85

INDIVIDUALS

1 Linnea Johansson Nova SE 71 72 143 -1
2 Daniela Ortiz Nova SE 74 72 146 +2
Ryanne Haddow St. Edward 73 73 146 +2
4 Abbey Gittings Nova SE 75 72 147 +3
5 Megan Kiley Fl. South. 77 73 150 +6
Ellen Chambers Lynn 74 76 150 +6
7 Momo Sakuragi Rollins 77 74 151 +7
Rachel Polson FL Tech 74 77 151 +7
9 Lauren Petty Saint Leo 80 72 152 +8
Wallis Spears St. Edward 78 74 152 +8
Amy Hodgkinson Fl. South. 76 76 152 +8
12 Taylor Babcock Barry (Fl) 79 74 153 +9
Kayla Sciupider Rollins 77 76 153 +9
14 Jessica Bradley Lynn 77 77 154 +10
Samantha Smolen Lynn 80 74 154 +10
Nicole Ferre Barry (Fl) 79 75 154 +10
17 Elin Olsson W. Florida 81 74 155 +11
Barbara Vejlupkova Fl. South. 80 75 155 +11
Aimee Paterson W. Florida 81 74 155 +11
Francesca Perini Barry (Fl) 78 77 155 +11
Liliana Cammisa Nova SE 75 80 155 +11
Jackie Rajek Fl. South. 78 77 155 +11
23 Clara Teixeira Rollins 80 76 156 +12
Felicia Leftinger FL Tech 78 78 156 +12
Maria Paola Fiorio Barry (Fl) 81 75 156 +12
Haley Haught St. Edward 77 79 156 +12
Irene Calvo Lynn 84 72 156 +12
Melisa Gonzalez St. Edward 78 78 156 +12
29 Camila Sevillano W. Florida 81 76 157 +13
Rachel Lewis Nova SE 78 79 157 +13
31 Jara Templet FL Tech 79 79 158 +14
*Estefania Buritica Lynn 82 76 158 +14
33 Clare Connolly Saint Leo 80 79 159 +15
Daniela Murray Barry (Fl) 80 79 159 +15
Emily Rymer Fl. South. 79 80 159 +15
Louise Manalo Lynn 77 82 159 +15
37 *Kristen Garabedian Rollins 77 83 160 +16
38 Jennifer So Rollins 81 80 161 +17
Luisa Villar Urquiza W. Florida 82 79 161 +17
Elin Marcsdottir Rollins 80 81 161 +17
41 Lauren Shuford Saint Leo 82 80 162 +18
Taylor Moreno St. Edward 84 78 162 +18

5 Barry University 316 301 617
T 12 Taylor Babcock 79 74 153
T 14 Nicole Ferre 79 75 154
T 17 Francesca Perini 78 77 155
T 23 Maria Paola Fiorio 81 75 156
T 33 Daniela Murray 80 79 159

Lucky 7: Women's Golf One of Nation's Best

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:39:00 GMT

NEW YORK -- Barry University women's golf team is ranked No. 7 in the Golf World/Women's Golf Coaches Association poll released this week.

The Buccaneers, coming off a sixth place finish at the Lady Moc Golf Classic in Lakeland Monday and Tuesday, received 320 points in the poll. The Buccaneers fell two spots after they were ranked tied for fourth last year.

Nova Southeastern remains No. 1, receiving 16 of the possible 17 first place votes. Lynn, which is tied for fourth, received the other first place vote. Rollins is No. 2, followed by St. Edward's.

The Buccaneers will play in the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational in Winter Springs, Fla., Monday and Tuesday.

Golf World/WGCA Coaches’ Poll

March 4, 2013 Issue

NCAA Women’s Division II

Rank Team Points NCAA

1. Nova Southeastern (16) 417 1

2. Rollins 365 3

3. St. Edward’s 357 2

4. Lynn (1) 353 T-4

5. Tarleton State 329 7

6. Florida Southern 326 6

7. Barry 320 T-4

8. Midwestern State 261 8

9. UNC-Pembroke 241 17

10. Grand Canyon 240 9

11. Saint Leo 226 10

12. Central Oklahoma 195 15

13. Florida Tech 193 12

14. California U. (Pa.) 188 11

15. Dallas Baptist 186 13

16. Newberry 174 14

17. West Florida 127 22

18. CSU-Monterey Bay 113 19

19. S.W. Oklahoma State 112 16

20. Flagler 100 NR

Newman 100 18

22. Armstrong Atlantic State 80 24

23. Augustana College 74 23

24. Indianapolis 69 25

25. Hawaii-Hilo 45 20

Also receiving votes: Grand Valley State, 42; Northeastern State, 35; Sonoma State, 33; Carson-Newman, 31; Cameron, 26; Lander, 25; Mount Olive, 24; Arkansas Tech, 15; Lincoln Memorial, 15; Belmont Abbey, 14; Chico State, 14; Columbus State, 10; Drury, 10; Academy of Art, 9; Coker, 9; Converse, 8; Pfeiffer, 6; Texas A&M-Commerce, 3; U. of The Incarnate Word, 3; Tusculum, 2.

First-place votes in parenthesis.

Polls conducted by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. Voting closed Feb. 22, 2013

Women's Golf Finishes 6th at Lady Moc Classic

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:16:00 GMT

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Barry women's golf tied for sixth at the Lady Moc Golf Classic Tuesday at The Club at Eaglebrooke.

The Buccaneers shot a final-round 311 to finish with a 54-hole total of 927 on the 6,255-yard course, which was tested by heavy winds and rain Tuesday. Nova Southeastern shot a tournament-record 880 to win the event. Lynn was second at 898 and Rollins third at 901.

"I saw some good things today," Barry acting head coach Shannon Sykora said. "The good news is we're headed in the right direction."

Barry's Taylor Babcock shot 80 in the final round to finish tied for 22nd at 15-over 231. She was the Buccaneers' top finisher. Teammate Maria Paola Fiorio tied for 27th at 233 following three rounds in the 70s. She shot 79 in the third round.

Nova Southeastern's Linnea Johansson, the wire-to-wire leader, won the individual title in a playoff with Sharks teammate Liliana Cammisa after both finished at 2-over 218. Johansson shot 2-over 74 Tuesday, while Cammisa had a 1-under 71. Johansson, who birdied the playoff hole, was just the second individual to win the title in a playoff. The last time the event went to a playoff was 2011 when two NSU golfers also squared off for the individual medalist honor.

Francesca Perini birdied three holes en route to a final-round 75. She and Bucs teammates Daniela Murray and Nicky Ferre all tied for 32nd at 234. Murray shot 78 in three straight rounds. Nicky Ferre shot 79 in the third round.

Armstrong Atlantic's Jenna Birch shot a 5-over 221 to tie for third with Lynn's Jessica Bradley and Rollins' Annie Dulman.

Perini sank eight birdie putts in the tournament. Ferre was 2-under in par-5 scoring, and Murray 1-under. As a team, the Bucs led the 17-team field in par-3 scoring at 6-over.

Barry will compete next Monday and Tuesday in the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational in Winter Springs, Fla.

RESULTS

Women's Golf Tied for 5th at Lady Moc Classic

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Barry's Taylor Babcock shot 74-77 -- 151 in the first two rounds of the Lady Moc Golf Classic Monday, and the Buccaneers found themselves in a three-way tie for fifth place.

Babcock is tied for 14th individually, seven strokes behind leader Linnea Johansson of Nova Southeastern. Johansson had a 2-under 70 in the opening round before carding a 2-over 74 in the second.

The Buccaneers shot 307-309 -- 616 on The Club at Eaglebrook's 6,255-yard course. They are tied with host Florida Southern and Armstrong Atlantic in fifth. Nova Southeastern shot an opening-round 290, tying the tournament's single-round record the Sharks set in 2011. NSU leads the tournament at 590 after shooting 300 in the second round, which began with light rain.

Lynn is second, six strokes behind Nova. Rollins is third after shooting 606, and West Florida fourth at 613. West Florida's Elinn Olsson, Nova's Abbey Gittings and Lynn's Irene Calvo and Jessica Bradley are tied for second at 2-over 146.

Babcock leads the tournament in the four par-3 scoring holes at 2-under.

Barry's Maria Paola Fiorio shot 76-78 -- 154. She is in a six-way tie for 23rd. Nicky Ferre is tied for 29th after shooting 79-76 -- 155. Ferre was 2-under on the course's three par-5 holes.

Daniela Murray shot 78 in both rounds, and is tied for 33rd at 156. Francesca Perini is tied for 45th after shooting 80-79 -- 159 in her first event of the season. Perini had a team-best five birdies Monday.

Lady Moc Golf Classic
The Club at Eaglebrooke Lakeland, FL
Par: 72
Yardage: 6255

      Fin.   School                   Scores

         1   Nova Southeastern U.     290 300    590
         1    Linnea Johansson         70   74    144
      T 2    Abbey Gittings           70   76    146
         6    Liliana Cammisa          74   73    147
      T 33    Daniela Ortiz            76   80    156
      T 35    Rachel Lewis             80   77    157

         2   Lynn University          304 292    596
      T 2    Irene Calvo              75   71    146
      T 2    Jessica Bradley          75   71    146
      T 10    Samantha Smolen          76   73    149
      T 29    Louise Manalo            78   77    155
      T 35    Ellen Chambers           79   78    157

         3   Rollins                  297 309    606
      T 7    Annie Dulman             75   73    148
      T 16    Kayla Sciupider          73   79    152
      T 16    Clara Teixeira           73   79    152
      T 23    Momo Sakuragi            76   78    154
      T 51    Elin Marcsdottir         80   81    161

         4   West Florida, U of       306 307    613
      T 2    Elin Olsson              71   75    146
      T 14    Aimee Paterson           74   77    151
      T 20    Camila Sevillano         77   76    153
      T 62    Daisy-May Kenny          86   79    165
      T 68    Luisa Villar Urquiza     84   84    168

      T 5   Barry University         307 309    616
      T 14    Taylor Babcock           74   77    151
      T 23    Maria Paola Fiorio       76   78    154
      T 29    Nicole Ferre             79   76    155
      T 33    Daniela Murray           78   78    156
      T 45    Francesca Perini         80   79    159

      T 5   Florida Southern         308 308    616
      T 12    Barbora Vejlupkova       77   73    150
      T 23    Megan Kiley              75   79    154
      T 35    Emily Rymer              80   77    157
      T 41    Amy Hodgkinson           79   79    158
      T 41    Jackie Rajek             77   81    158

      T 5   Armstrong Atlantic       317 299    616
      T 7    Jenna Birch              75   73    148
      T 12    Kiley Mettler            75   75    150
      T 35    Brendie Rockholt         83   74    157
      T 51    Pamela Mosley            84   77    161
      T 64    Kristen Sammarco         87   79    166

      T 8   Seminole State-FL        311 306    617
      T 7    Joanna Yoo               71   77    148
      T 20    Phon Angwarawong         78   75    153
      T 41    Stormy Staton            80   78    158
      T 45    Victoria Choi            83   76    159
      T 51    Kelsey Jensen            82   79    161

      T 8   Florida Tech             305 312    617
      T 10    Jessica Hook             73   76    149
      T 23    Felicia Leftinger        74   80    154
      T 29    Rachel Polson            76   79    155
      T 45    Jara Templet             82   77    159
      T 64    Anna Johnsson            84   82    166

        10   Saint Leo University     307 315    622
      T 16    Clare Connolly           76   76    152
      T 20    Lauren Petty             76   77    153
      T 29    Lauren Shuford           76   79    155
      T 55    Heather Petronis         79   83    162
        84    Alyssa Barrett           97   95    192

        11   Embry-Riddle - FL        319 315    634
      T 35    Bea Serra                79   78    157
      T 41    Pia Jenko                80   78    158
      T 51    Connie Pitenis           80   81    161
        61    Heather Wiquist          80   84    164
        DQ    MacKenzie Cunningham     DQ   78

        12   California Univ - PA     319 327    646
      T 23    Maria Lopez              73   81    154
      T 45    Inez Del Rosario         82   77    159
      T 57    Kim Thomas               82   81    163
      T 72    Cara Vanderham           82   88    170
        81    Marine Verchere          90   89    179

        13   Florida Southern B      328 325    653
      T 57    Kit Creighton            78   85    163
      T 57    Hannah Duffie            87   76    163
      T 57    Colleen Panosian         83   80    163
      T 62    Emily Tofaute            81   84    165
      T 74    Callie Hodgkinson        86   86    172

        14   Northwood U. - FL        335 332    667
      T 35    Anna Felip               79   78    157
        71    Brianna LaFoca           85   84    169
      T 76    Micaela Johansson        88   85    173
      T 76    Emma Bjorklund           83   90    173
      T 79    Gen Nugent               91   85    176

        15   Belmont Abbey Coll.      360 346    706
      T 45    Rebecca Mirovich         76   83    159
        78    Becca Kastin             91   83    174
      T 79    Jenn Weiland             91   85    176
        87    Sarah King              102   95    197
        89    Margo Slonkosky         122 111    233

        16   Tampa, U. of             362 349    711
      T 55    Kendra Bishop            85   77    162
      T 66    Fatin Amin               84   83    167
      T 74    Brittany Bradshaw        89   83    172
        88    Kelsey Kennedy          104 106    210

        17   Webber International     359 360    719
      T 68    Mikaela Lyander          82   86    168
      T 72    Maurica Smith            82   88    170
        82    Savanna Fisher           93   93    186
        86    Johanna Spals           102   93    195

   Fin.   Individuals            School       Scores

   T 16   Estefania Buritica     Lynn          77   75    152
   T 23   Jennifer So            Rollins       76   78    154
     50   Kristen Garabedian     Rollins       79   81    160
   T 66   Kelly Krusoe           Rollins       82   85    167
   T 68   Kellianne May          SemStateFL    78   90    168
     83   Emily Cattanach        AASU          89 100    189
     85   Karisma Smith          FL Tech       98   95    193

Barry University Wants Your Feedback!

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:45:00 GMT

Barry University is participating in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Barry receives a report on all feedback that is provided by our students, so we want to hear from you! Look for the “Barry University Wants Your Feedback” email in your student email account.

To thank you for your time, all Barry students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a new Apple iPad Mini or one of four gift cards with a value of $50 each. The drawing will be held on April 30, 2013, and the winner will be notified through their student email account.

Bucs Women's Golf Finishes 4th at Tusculum

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:54:00 GMT

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- Barry women's golf team finished fourth at the Tusculum/Kiawah Island Intercollegiate Sunday.

The Buccaneers, who started the final round in second, shot 299-318 -- 617 on the 5,800-yard Cougar Point course. Lynn repeated as the event champion, winning the tournament with a 16-over 592. UNC Pembroke was second at 35-over 611, and West Florida third at 614.

Savannah College of Art Design, which was one stroke behind the No. 4 nationally-ranked Buccaneers to start Sunday's final round, finished fifth, seven strokes behind Barry.

Barry sophomore Daniella Murray shot a 2-over 74 in the final round, finishing tied for eighth at 7-over 157. Bucs freshman teammate Maria Paola Fiorio also tied for eighth after shooting 73-78 -- 151.

Lynn's Samantha Smolen won the tournament at 2-under 142. Fighting Knights teammate Ellen Chambers was second at 3-over 147. Lander's T. Caballer Hernani and UNC Pembroke's Meghan Moore and Shauna Walor all tied for third at 4-over 148.

Barry's Taylor Babcock tied for 23rd, shooting 77-79 -- 156. Nancy Vergara tied for 33rd at 159 and Nicky Ferre shot 166.

Barry will compete in the Lady Moc Golf Classic in Lakeland Feb. 25=26.

RESULTS

Women's Golf Shoots to 2nd at Tusculum Intercollegiate

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 21:08:00 GMT

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- Barry University's No. 4-ranked women's golf team is in second place after one round of the Tusculum Intercollegiate Saturday. The Buccaneers trail leader Lynn by four strokes entering Sunday's final round.

Barry shot 11-over 299 in the opening round on the 5,800-yard Cougar Point course. Savannah College of Art Design is third, a stroke behind the Buccaneers. West Florida shot 303, and is fourth, while Armstrong Atlantic is fifth at 18-over 306.

Barry's Nancy Vergara shot even par 72, and is third on the individual leaderboard. She is three strokes behind leader Samantha Smolen of Lynn, who fired a 3-under 69. Lander's T. Caballer Hernani is second after shooting 2-under 70.

Barry's Maria Paola Fiorio shot 1-over 73, and is tied for fourth. Taylor Babcock and Daniela Murray each shot 77, and are tied for 22nd. Nicky Ferre had a first-round 79. She is tied for 43rd.

Tusculum/Kiawah Island Intercollegiate
Cougar Point
Kiawah Island, S.C.
Dates: 2/2-3/2013
1st Round Scores
Par 72, 5800 yards

Fin. Team                             Total    Par
   1 Lynn...........................    295     +7
   2 Barry..........................    299    +11
   3 Savannah College of Art Design.    300    +12
   4 West Florida...................    303    +15
   5 Armstrong......................    306    +18
   6 Newberry.......................    307    +19
t 7 Florida Southern...............    309    +21
t 7 UNC Pembroke...................    309    +21
   9 Southwestern Oklahoma State....    311    +23
10 Wingate........................    313    +25
11 Lander.........................    319    +31
12 Columbus State.................    321    +33
13 West Georgia...................    323    +35
14 Lincoln Memorial...............    327    +39
t 15 Belmont Abbey..................    337    +49
t 15 Tusculum.......................    337    +49
17 Coker..........................    343    +55
18 Barton.........................    355    +67

Fin. Player                Team                             Total    Par
   1 Samantha Smolen...... Lynn...........................     69     -3
   2 T. Caballer Hernani.. Lander.........................     70     -2
   3 Nancy Vergara........ Barry..........................     72      E
t 4 Meghan Moore......... UNC Pembroke...................     73     +1
t 4 Maria Paola-Fiorio... Barry..........................     73     +1
t 4 Aimee Paterson....... West Florida...................     73     +1
t 7 Jenna Birch.......... Armstrong......................     74     +2
t 7 Ellen Chambers....... Lynn...........................     74     +2
t 7 Sofia Molinaro....... Savannah College of Art Design.     74     +2
t 7 Johanna Neumann...... Wingate........................     74     +2
t 7 Alazne Urizar........ Savannah College of Art Design.     74     +2
t 12 Kimesha Anthony...... Columbus State.................     75     +3
t 12 Irene Calvo.......... Lynn...........................     75     +3
t 12 Elin Olsson.......... West Florida...................     75     +3
t 12 Alexa Osbourn........ Savannah College of Art Design.     75     +3
t 16 Lisa Brandl.......... Newberry.......................     76     +4
t 16 Desta Coaker......... Lincoln Memorial...............     76     +4
t 16 Ana Gomez............ Southwestern Oklahoma State....     76     +4
t 16 Kiley Mettler........ Armstrong......................     76     +4
t 16 Rebecca Mirovich..... Belmont Abbey..................     76     +4
t 16 Emily Rymer.......... Florida Southern...............     76     +4
t 22 Eline Askeland....... Newberry.......................     77     +5
t 22 Taylor Babcock....... Barry..........................     77     +5
t 22 Jessica Bradley...... Lynn...........................     77     +5
t 22 Barbara Castro....... Newberry.......................     77     +5
t 22 Julia Daneshfar...... Newberry.......................     77     +5
t 22 Emee Herbert......... Tusculum.......................     77     +5
t 22 Amy Hodgkinson....... Florida Southern...............     77     +5
t 22 Louise Manalo........ Lynn...........................     77     +5
t 22 Daniela Murray....... Barry..........................     77     +5
t 22 Jackie Rajek......... Florida Southern...............     77     +5
t 22 Brendie Rockholt..... Armstrong......................     77     +5
t 22 Camila Sevillano..... West Florida...................     77     +5
t 22 Becky Tetrick........ Savannah College of Art Design.     77     +5
t 22 Shauna Walor......... UNC Pembroke...................     77     +5
t 36 Jerrah Baker......... West Georgia...................     78     +6
t 36 E-M Carangalan....... Southwestern Oklahoma State....     78     +6
t 36 Lucia Careaga........ Wingate........................     78     +6
t 36 Ashlynn Hall......... Southwestern Oklahoma State....     78     +6
t 36 Natalia Perez........ Newberry.......................     78     +6
t 36 Kelly Sumner......... UNC Pembroke...................     78     +6
t 36 Luisa Villar Urquiza. West Florida...................     78     +6
t 43 Nicky Ferre.......... Barry..........................     79     +7
t 43 Megan Kiley.......... Florida Southern...............     79     +7
t 43 Pam Mosely........... Armstrong......................     79     +7
t 43 Margaret Musser...... Southwestern Oklahoma State....     79     +7
47 Kathryn Rand......... Wingate........................     80     +8
t 48 Heather Altiser...... Columbus State.................     81     +9
t 48 Lizzie Bundy......... UNC Pembroke...................     81     +9
t 48 Samantha Gilder...... Wingate........................     81     +9
t 48 Jamie Jordan......... West Georgia...................     81     +9
t 48 Becca Kasten......... Belmont Abbey..................     81     +9
t 48 NicoletteBoissonneau. West Georgia...................     81     +9
t 48 Kristen Sammarco..... Armstrong......................     81     +9
t 48 Brittney Zine........ Barton.........................     81     +9
t 56 Allie Agrella........ Savannah College of Art Design.     82    +10
t 56 Kaitie Cross......... Columbus State.................     82    +10
t 56 Brittany McCown...... Lincoln Memorial...............     82    +10
t 56 Michelle Reyes....... Lander.........................     82    +10
t 56 Krista Thorpe........ Coker..........................     82    +10
t 56 Maria Tirado......... Barton.........................     82    +10
t 56 Barbora Vejlupkova... Florida Southern...............     82    +10
t 63 Taylor Casabere...... West Georgia...................     83    +11
t 63 Sara Howard.......... Tusculum.......................     83    +11
t 63 Ashley Shinn......... Lander.........................     83    +11
t 63 Madison Williams..... Columbus State.................     83    +11
t 67 Lindsay Davis........ Lincoln Memorial...............     84    +12
t 67 Daisy-May Kenny...... West Florida...................     84    +12
t 67 Megan Levy........... Wingate........................     84    +12
t 67 Mariana Martins...... Lander.........................     84    +12
t 71 Sara Allen........... Coker..........................     85    +13
t 71 Whitney Ball......... Lincoln Memorial...............     85    +13
t 71 Jenn Crow............ UNC Pembroke...................     85    +13
t 71 Calley Lawson........ Tusculum.......................     85    +13
t 75 Jessica Heard........ Southwestern Oklahoma State....     86    +14
t 75 Rachel Uremovich..... Lander.........................     86    +14
t 77 Kristin Galek........ Columbus State.................     87    +15
t 77 Jessi McKenzie....... Coker..........................     87    +15
t 79 Taylor Demby......... Coker..........................     89    +17
t 79 Sarah King........... Belmont Abbey..................     89    +17
t 79 Jasmine Reeves....... Barton.........................     89    +17
t 82 Danielle Burrell..... Lincoln Memorial...............     91    +19
t 82 Mallory Thompkins.... Coker..........................     91    +19
t 82 Jenn Weiland......... Belmont Abbey..................     91    +19
85 Alec Cunningham...... Tusculum.......................     92    +20
86 Jillian Corum........ Tusculum.......................     93    +21
87 Katy Alty............ West Georgia...................     95    +23
88 Lindsey Snyder....... Barton.........................    103    +31
t 89 Tessa Davis.......... Barton.........................    104    +32
t 89 Margo Slonkosky...... Belmont Abbey..................    104    +32

Lynn.......................... 295    +7      1st
Samantha Smolen............... 69    -3      1st
Ellen Chambers................ 74    +2   t- 7th
Irene Calvo................... 75    +3   t-12th
Jessica Bradley............... 77    +5   t-22nd
Louise Manalo................. 77    +5   t-22nd

Barry......................... 299   +11      2nd
Nancy Vergara................. 72     E      3rd
Maria Paola-Fiorio............ 73    +1   t- 4th
Taylor Babcock................ 77    +5   t-22nd
Daniela Murray................ 77    +5   t-22nd
Nicky Ferre................... 79    +7   t-43rd

Savannah College of Art Design 300   +12      3rd
Sofia Molinaro................ 74    +2   t- 7th
Alazne Urizar................. 74    +2   t- 7th
Alexa Osbourn................. 75    +3   t-12th
Becky Tetrick................. 77    +5   t-22nd
Allie Agrella................. 82   +10   t-56th

West Florida.................. 303   +15      4th
Aimee Paterson................ 73    +1   t- 4th
Elin Olsson................... 75    +3   t-12th
Camila Sevillano.............. 77    +5   t-22nd
Luisa Villar Urquiza.......... 78    +6   t-36th
Daisy-May Kenny............... 84   +12   t-67th

Armstrong..................... 306   +18      5th
Jenna Birch................... 74    +2   t- 7th
Kiley Mettler................. 76    +4   t-16th
Brendie Rockholt.............. 77    +5   t-22nd
Pam Mosely.................... 79    +7   t-43rd
Kristen Sammarco.............. 81    +9   t-48th

Newberry...................... 307   +19      6th
Lisa Brandl................... 76    +4   t-16th
Eline Askeland................ 77    +5   t-22nd
Barbara Castro................ 77    +5   t-22nd
Julia Daneshfar............... 77    +5   t-22nd
Natalia Perez................. 78    +6   t-36th

Florida Southern.............. 309   +21   t- 7th
Emily Rymer................... 76    +4   t-16th
Amy Hodgkinson................ 77    +5   t-22nd
Jackie Rajek.................. 77    +5   t-22nd
Megan Kiley................... 79    +7   t-43rd
Barbora Vejlupkova............ 82   +10   t-56th

UNC Pembroke.................. 309   +21   t- 7th
Meghan Moore.................. 73    +1   t- 4th
Shauna Walor.................. 77    +5   t-22nd
Kelly Sumner.................. 78    +6   t-36th
Lizzie Bundy.................. 81    +9   t-48th
Jenn Crow..................... 85   +13   t-71st

Southwestern Oklahoma State... 311   +23      9th
Ana Gomez..................... 76    +4   t-16th
E-M Carangalan................ 78    +6   t-36th
Ashlynn Hall.................. 78    +6   t-36th
Margaret Musser............... 79    +7   t-43rd
Jessica Heard................. 86   +14   t-75th

Wingate....................... 313   +25     10th
Johanna Neumann............... 74    +2   t- 7th
Lucia Careaga................. 78    +6   t-36th
Kathryn Rand.................. 80    +8     47th
Samantha Gilder............... 81    +9   t-48th
Megan Levy.................... 84   +12   t-67th

Lander........................ 319   +31     11th
T. Caballer Hernani........... 70    -2      2nd
Michelle Reyes................ 82   +10   t-56th
Ashley Shinn.................. 83   +11   t-63rd
Mariana Martins............... 84   +12   t-67th
Rachel Uremovich.............. 86   +14   t-75th

Columbus State................ 321   +33     12th
Kimesha Anthony............... 75    +3   t-12th
Heather Altiser............... 81    +9   t-48th
Kaitie Cross.................. 82   +10   t-56th
Madison Williams.............. 83   +11   t-63rd
Kristin Galek................. 87   +15   t-77th

West Georgia.................. 323   +35     13th
Jerrah Baker.................. 78    +6   t-36th
Jamie Jordan.................. 81    +9   t-48th
NicoletteBoissonneau.......... 81    +9   t-48th
Taylor Casabere............... 83   +11   t-63rd
Katy Alty..................... 95   +23     87th

Lincoln Memorial.............. 327   +39     14th
Desta Coaker.................. 76    +4   t-16th
Brittany McCown............... 82   +10   t-56th
Lindsay Davis................. 84   +12   t-67th
Whitney Ball.................. 85   +13   t-71st
Danielle Burrell.............. 91   +19   t-82nd

Belmont Abbey................. 337   +49   t-15th
Rebecca Mirovich.............. 76    +4   t-16th
Becca Kasten.................. 81    +9   t-48th
Sarah King.................... 89   +17   t-79th
Jenn Weiland.................. 91   +19   t-82nd
Margo Slonkosky............... 104   +32   t-89th

Tusculum...................... 337   +49   t-15th
Emee Herbert.................. 77    +5   t-22nd
Sara Howard................... 83   +11   t-63rd
Calley Lawson................. 85   +13   t-71st
Alec Cunningham............... 92   +20     85th
Jillian Corum................. 93   +21     86th

Coker......................... 343   +55     17th
Krista Thorpe................. 82   +10   t-56th
Sara Allen.................... 85   +13   t-71st
Jessi McKenzie................ 87   +15   t-77th
Taylor Demby.................. 89   +17   t-79th
Mallory Thompkins............. 91   +19   t-82nd

Barton........................ 355   +67     18th
Brittney Zine................. 81    +9   t-48th
Maria Tirado.................. 82   +10   t-56th
Jasmine Reeves................ 89   +17   t-79th
Lindsey Snyder................ 103   +31     88th
Tessa Davis................... 104   +32   t-89th

# Indicates individual player

Women's Golf Opens Season Saturday

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:41:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf team opens the spring season Saturday at the Tusculum Women's Intercollegiate in Kiawah Island, S.C.

The Buccaneers won their final tournament of the fall season, and now hope to keep the momentum going in the spring.

“Overall, I’m trying to have the girls compete every day so that we can put the best team on the course,” Bucs acting head coach Shannon Sykora said. “We’re trying to compete as much as possible so that when it comes to the spring, we’ll have a tournament-sharp unit. It’s a new mix this year. The freshmen have come in prepared to compete for spots, and they’ve shown it.”

Freshmen Nicky Ferre and Maria Paola Fiorio asserted themselves right away in the bid to compete in the five-player lineup. That doesn’t mean they’ll be guaranteed spots each week, what with the competitive nature this newly-assembled team assumes. But again, that was all part of the plan.

“My philosophy is let the best five play based on qualification,” Sykora said. “It gives everyone a great chance. We have more depth because on any given day our best players can be beat. That’s where it’s competitive.

“I want them to be in their own world out there, and try to beat their teammates. But away from the course, I want them to be great teammates.”

It all starts with senior Taylor Babcock, a returning National Golf Coaches Association honorable mention All-American, who finished in the top 10 in eight events last year. Babcock led the Bucs with a 77.69 stroke average last year. She shot 21 rounds in the 70s in 2011-12.

Sophomores Nancy Vergara, Paola Grande, Daniela Murray and Francesca Perini all return after helping the Buccaneers claim national tournament hardware in Louisville in the spring. Vergara, who played for her native Venezuela in international tournaments, was second on last year’s team in scoring average. Her 78.89 stroke average was anchored around 15 rounds in the 70s. She placed second at the season-opening event a year ago.
Grande had nine rounds in the 70s in 2011-12. She placed 12th at the Sunshine State Conference Championships, and carried an 80.69 stroke average. Murray, the elder stateswoman of the sophomore sisters, had a 79.50 stroke average. She had 10 rounds in the 70s, and finished runner-up in one event. Perini had seven rounds in the 70s, placed 11th at the Barry Tri-Match, and carried an 80.60 stroke average through 15 rounds.

Ferre, the Miami Herald and Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year as a senior in high school, won the Central Florida Tournament of Champions, shooting a 6-under 66. She was eighth at the state championships. Fiorio was a semifinalist at the Italian Match Play Nationals in 2011. Fellow freshman Eiken Hansen was part of a high school team that won the Georgia state title.

“Expectations are high because there’s real competition at home,” Sykora said. “Scores at home have been solid.”

In a region, not to mention league, where three other schools entered the season ranked in the top 10 of the NCAA Division II Golfweek preseason poll, the Buccaneers won’t have a free pass back to the national tournament. But with the squad Barry has put together, there’s no reason to believe they won’t be part of the mix come May.

“Definitely,” Sykora said. “I can see these players developing into top-notch players.”

Top-notch players with top-notch personalities that show two different faces from time to time.

“There’s some seriousness,” Sykora said, pensively taking into consideration the playful side his new team also exhibits. “I think it’s been pretty serious. The girls are trying to come in and grab a spot. Once we shut it down (after the fall season), there will be a little time to have fun, work out a little bit and work on our game. I think the girls’ personalities, from top to bottom, mesh well together.”

That’s the aim this team is shooting for throughout the course of the 2012-13 academic year, to use a few golf terms. Now it’s up to the Bucs to let it all sink in.

“Everybody’s pretty excited to kick off the season,” Sykora said. “We’ll have our fall season to really see where we’re at. Hopefully we can get some momentum going into the spring. Our goal at Barry is to compete for a national championship. Last year we made good strides in qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the first time in ages. This year, we want to take it a step further.”

SCHEDULE

SSC Posts Top Division II ASR for 6th Straight Year

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:11:00 GMT

GRAPEVNE, Texas -- For the sixth consecutive year, the Sunshine State Conference has posted the top NCAA Division II Academic Success Rate.

The Academic Success Rate for all 23 Division II conferences was released at the NCAA Convention, which was held in Grapevine, Texas, Jan. 16-19. SSC member institutions posted an ASR of 86 percent to again lead all conferences. The Northeast-10 Conference placed second in the rankings with an ASR of 85 percent. The leagues have claimed the top two spots in the conference-by-conference comparison each year since the ASR performance rankings were first released in January 2008.

"We are very excited to again receive the distinction of having the highest ASR rate of any Division II conference," SSC Commissioner Jay Jones said. "This is a special honor for our coaches, student-athletes and administrators and it speaks to the value that our member schools put on success in the classroom. They work hard to maintain this distinction year after year and we are very proud of those efforts."

Data for the 2012 version of the ASR was compiled by following the progress of the 2002-05 cohort. The national four-year ASR for all DII student-athletes remained steady at 72 percent. SSC student-athletes performed well above that average with a composite ASR of 86. All told, 89 percent of the 123 teams that were counted for SSC member institutions exceeding the national average of 72.

A number of SSC teams posted a perfect 100 percent Academic Success Rate, and each member institution had at least one program achieve a perfect mark. They included:

- Barry softball;
- Eckerd softball;
- Florida Tech men's golf, women's golf, women's tennis, and men's track;
- Florida Southern men's tennis, women's tennis, and softball;
- Lynn men's basketball, women's golf, softball, men's tennis, and volleyball;
- Nova Southeastern women's golf;
- Rollins men's swimming, women's swimming, women's basketball, women's soccer, volleyball, women's tennis, men's track, and women's track;
- Saint Leo women's tennis; and
- Tampa women's tennis.

Along with the Division I Graduation Success Rate (GSR), the ASR is a tool used by the NCAA to measure the academic progress of student-athletes competing within the Association. The NCAA developed the Division II ASR at the request of college and university presidents who believed the federal graduation rate was flawed. Both the Division I GSR and the DII ASR take into account transfer students. However, given the partial-scholarship model of Division II, the ASR also includes student-athletes not receiving athletically-related financial aid. The ASR also removes students from the cohort who left the institution while academically eligible to compete.

Top Ten NCAA Division II ASR Conferences
1. Sunshine State Conference - 86%
2. Northeast-10 Conference - 85%
3. Great Lakes Valley Conference - 80%
4. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference - 78%
5. Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference - 77%
T6. East Coast Conference - 75%
T6. Great Northwest Athletic Conference - 75%
8. Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference - 74%
9. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference - 73%
T10. Conference Carolinas - 72%
T10. Pacific West Conference - 72%

Barry Student-Athletes Post Record Highs

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:59:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Barry University’s student-athletes established a new academic high in the fall semester as 74.3 percent of the Buccaneers athletes posted grade point averages of 3.0 or better.

Each of Barry’s 12 teams had GPAs above 3.0 for the fall semester. It marks the first time all 12 sports had team GPAs above 3.0.

The Bucs women’s golf team had a 3.678 cumulative GPA in the semester. Volleyball posted a 3.497. Men’s soccer had a 3.319. Men’s tennis had a 3.278.

“We are very proud of our student-athletes and their academic achievements,” Barry Athletic Director Mike Covone said. “All 12 of Barry University’s programs have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher with nearly 75 percent of all student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA or higher, as well. That is outstanding!”

The average term grade point average for student-athletes was 3.307 – also a Barry University high. The university previous high was a 3.273 during the fall of 2011.

The average team cume GPA rose to 3.298 with women’s golf leading the way at 3.674. Men’s soccer was the highest of the male sports at 3.354.

A total of 5.5 percent of all student-athletes recorded 4.0 GPAs, earning them President’s List honors.

“As an NCAA Division II institution and members of the Sunshine State Conference, we are committed to a comprehensive, balanced program of students as learners and student-athletes that compete at the highest level,” Covone said. “Through the leadership of our administrators, coaches and staff, the department has created an environment that encourages and supports these types of accomplishments by all student-athletes, which is excellence in both academics and athletics.”

Barry has won nine national championships.

BARRY UNIVERSITY
Team Rankings

FOR FALL, 2012 TERM

                                      TERM GPA                                           CUM GPA
Women’s Golf               3.678            Women’s Golf               3.674
Volleyball                      3.497             Volleyball                       3.471
Women’s Basketball     3.469             Women’s Basketball    3.432
Men’s Soccer               3.319             Men’s Soccer                 3.354
Softball                        3.309              Softball                           3.316
Men’s Tennis               3.278              Women’s Soccer           3.280
Men’s Basketball         3.276             Men’s Tennis                 3.264
Women’s Rowing         3.271             Women’s Tennis            3.227
Women’s Tennis         3.221               Women's Rowing          3.195
Baseball                      3.167              Men’s Basketball         3.184
Women’s Soccer        3.108                Baseball                         3.117
Men’s Golf                   3.096              Men’s Golf                      3.065

Team - Average Term GPA 3.307 Team - Average Cum GPA 3.298

• 74.3 % of all student-athletes had a Fall term GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• 5.5 % of all student-athletes had a 4.0 Fall term GPA.
• 74.3 % of all student-athletes had a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher following Fall 2012 term.
• 12 of 12 TEAMS have TERM & CUM GPA’s of 3.0 or HIGHER

Women's Golf Ranked 4th in NCAA Division II

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:20:00 GMT

NEW YORK — Barry University women's golf team was ranked tied for fourth in the final Golf World/WGCA Division II College Women’s Coaches’ Poll of the 2012 Fall season.

The Buccaneers tied with Lynn for fourth in the poll.

Barry finished the fall season with a 19-stroke victory at the Flagler Fall Slam as sophomore Nancy Vergara placed second at 2-over 146. Nicky Ferre was fourth at 5-over.

The poll combines the resources of Golf World magazine and the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. The complete results, including results from Divisions I and III, will appear in the December 10, 2012 issue of Golf World and are live now:
http://golfdig.st/PoXKuQ

With the first half of the 2012-13 season completed, Nova Southeastern layed claims to the No. 1 ranking in the final fall Division II coaches' poll. The Sharks won three of their four fall starts, including the Yale Fall Intercollegiate, and finished third at the Lady Paladin Invitational, a primarily Division I event. The defending NCAA champions received 16 of 22 first-place votes.

St. Edward's, with four first-place votes, finished the fall second in the poll, with Rollins claiming the No. 3 spot.

No new teams entered the top 10. One new school joined the top 25: No. 24 Armstrong Atlantic State

Visit Golf World Senior Writer Ryan Herrington’s “Campus Insider” blog to find out the latest on collegiate golf: http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/blogs/campusinsider.

Golf World/WGCA Coaches’ Poll
December 10, 2012 Issue
NCAA Women’s Division II

Rank    Team     Points NCAA
1.      Nova Southeastern (16) 538     1
2.      St. Edward’s (4)        487     2
3.      Rollins 444     4
4.      Lynn    425     6
         Barry   425     3
6.      Florida Southern        417     5
7.      Tarleton State 401     7
8.      Midwestern State        365     9
9.      Grand Canyon (1)        349     8
10.     Saint Leo       285     T-10
11.     California U. (Pa.)     276     T-10
12.     Florida Tech    271     12
13.     Dallas Baptist 260     14
14.     Newberry        243     15
15.     Central Oklahoma        236     13
16.     S.W. Oklahoma State     168     19
17.     UNC-Pembroke    147     18
18.     Newman 144     25
19.     CSU-Monterey Bay        132     17
20.     Hawaii-Hilo     129     16
21.     Grand Valley State      97      23
22.     West Florida    96      T-20
23.     Augustana College       94      T-22
24.     Armstrong Atlantic State        91      NR
25.     Indianapolis    89      T-20
Also receiving votes: Flagler, 85; Lincoln Memorial, 73; Lander, 42; Chico State, 40; Academy of Art (1), 37; Northeastern State, 29; Sonoma State, 29; Tusculum, 28; Western Washington, 26; Carson-Newman, 25; Mount Olive, 24; Columbus State, 21; Arkansas Tech, 19; Northwest Missouri State, 15; West Georgia, 10; Western New Mexico, 9; Drury, 8; Concord, 7; Dixie State, 4; U. of the The Incarnate Word, 3; Concordia U. (Minn.), 2; Minnesota State, 2; West Texas A&M, 2; Ashland, 1.

First-place votes in parenthesis.
Polls conducted by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. Voting closed Nov. 14, 2012

Women's Golf Signs Argentinian Junior Champ

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:33:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University acting women's golf coach Shannon Sykora announced the signing of junior champion Martina Bertuccioli. She will join the Buccaneers No. 3-ranked Division II program in the fall.

Bertuccioli, a native of Cordoba, Argentina, won the 2012 Cordoba Province Women's Championship.

"She's a great addition to our team," Sykora said. "She's a good student as well."

Bertuccioli is the eighth-ranked women's player in the country, according to the Argentina Golf Association. She finished second in a playoff after shooting 218 at the 54-hole 2010 American Junior Golf Association Coca Cola Junior Championships at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs, Mich.

"Martina's the type of player that can come in right away and make an impact," Sykora said. "She has a great work ethic, and she's improving every year."

Vergara Qualifies for Copa Los Andes Golf Tourney

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:26:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Sophomore women's golfer Nancy Vergara left Thursday to compete in the Copa Los Andes tournament in her native Venezuela next week.

The tournament, featuring South American countries which will follow a match play format over the four days of competition Wednesday through Saturday, will feature teams of five players per country. Pairs of two players will compete against each other in the 18-hole, alternate shot morning format. In the 18-hole afternoon sessions, four singles will compete head-to-head.

"This is a great opportunity for me to go back to my home country to represent Venezuela," Vergara said. "I'm looking forward to the chance to play in a tournament like this."

Vergara, a sophomore from Caracas, Venezuela, tied for second at Barry's final fall tournament as the Buccaneers won the Flagler Fall Slam. She shot a 2-over 146 in the 36-hole event. Vergara shot par in the opening round.

Vergara ranks second on the Buccaneers team in scoring average at 75.38. Her low round is a 1-under 71, and her runner-up finish is the best on the Bucs' team.

"Nancy had a great fall season for us, and really kept it together," Barry coach Shannon Sykora said. "She's been one of our more consistent players, and a reason why we're ranked No. 3 in the country. My hope is that Nancy will have a big spring to help us have a great season."

Women's Golf Ascends to No. 3 Nationally

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:48:00 GMT

NEW YORK -- Barry University women's golf is ranked No. 3 in the GolfWorld/Women's Golf Coaches Association NCAA Division II national poll released Thursday.

The Buccaneers, coming off a win in their final fall tournament, moved up one spot in the poll from last month.

Nova Southeastern remained No. 1 in the rankings, followed by St. Edward's, which received one first-place vote. The Sharks collected 18 first-place votes and 474 points. St. Edwards had 410 points, and Barry 390.

Rollins is ranked fourth with 384 points and Florida Southern fifth with 378. Lynn, Tarleton State, Grand Canyon, Midwestern State and California-Pennsylvania and Saint Leo rounded out the top 10. Cal-Penn and the Lions tied for 10th.

Seven teams from the Sunshine State Conference are ranked in the top 12, with Florida Tech filing in right after Saint Leo.

Barry is off for the remainder of the fall, but will break out the clubs to start the spring season at the Tusculum Intercollegiate in Kiawah Island, S.C., Feb. 2-3.

Golf World/WGCA Coaches’ Poll
November Rankings
NCAA Women’s Division II

Rank    Team     Points NCAA
1.       Nova Southeastern (18) 474     1
2.       St. Edward’s (1)        410     2
3.       Barry   390     4
4.       Rollins 384     5
5.       Florida Southern        378     6
6.       Lynn    369     3
7.       Tarleton State   343     8
8.       Grand Canyon    326     7
9.       Midwestern State        240     T-18
10.     California U. (Pa.)     228     9
           Saint Leo       228     11
12.      Florida Tech    214     14
13.      Central Oklahoma        203     12
14.      Dallas Baptist 186     20
15.      Newberry        180     10
16.      Hawaii-Hilo     159     NR
17.      CSU-Monterey Bay        141     23
18.      UNC Pembroke    122     16
19.      S.W. Oklahoma State     111     T-18
20.      Indianapolis    104     13
          West Florida    104     21
22.      Augustana College       102     15
23.      Grand Valley State      90      17
24.      Flagler 81      NR
25.      Newman 71      NR

Also receiving votes: Sonoma State, 66; Chico State, 58; Lander, 41; Armstrong Atlantic State, 39; Tusculum, 34; Northeastern State, 31; Drury, 30; Academy of Art, 26; Lincoln Memorial, 24; Mount Olive, 21; Dixie State, 19; West Texas A&M, 16; Carson-Newman, 15; Western Washington, 15; Ashland, 13; Ferris State, 13; Northwest Missouri State, 13; Western New Mexico, 12; Findlay, 10; Winona State, 10; Concordia - St. Paul, 9; Arkansas Tech, 5; Belmont Abbey, 4; West Georgia, 4; Montana State, 3; California Baptist, 2; Columbus State, 2; Cameron, 1; Minnesota State, 1.

First-place votes in parenthesis.

Women's Golf Wins Flagler Fall Slam

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:33:00 GMT

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf team won the Flagler Fall Slam Tuesday, shooting 307 in the second round to win by 17 strokes.

Barry carded a 296-307 -- 603 on the par 72, 6,062-yard Marsh Creek Country Club. The Buccaneers tied their own record at the tournament, having shot a 603 to win the Oct. 27-28 Fall Slam event four years ago. Barry's 296 in the first round was the lowest single round since the tournament moved to Marsh Creek in 2010.

It is Barry's first tournament victory of the season. Flagler finished second at 622. The Buccaneers had a 15-stroke lead after the first round when they shot their best round of the season.

"We obviously played pretty well yesterday," Buccaneers coach Shannon Sykora said. "Today the conditions were pretty hard."

Barry's Nancy Vergara shot 2-over 72-74 -- 146, finishing second by a stroke to Armstrong Atlantic's Jenna Birch, who won the tournament with a 75-70 -- 145.

Vergara had three birdies in the final round, including two on the back nine to draw within contention of winning. Birch had four birdies, and shot 2-under for the day.

Barry's Nicky Ferre shot 71-78 -- 149, finishing fourth at 5-over. Maria Paola Fiorio carded a 76-77 -- 153. Taylor Babcock shot 77-78 -- 155. Daniela Murray shot 77-81 -- 158.

"They played pretty solid, but the course wasn't playing easy," Sykora said. "They kept their composure down the stretch, which I was happy about."

RESULTS

Women's Golf Leads Flagler Fall Slam

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:56:00 GMT

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Barry's women's golf team owns a 15-stroke lead after one round of the Flagler Fall Slam Monday.

The Buccaneers shot 8-over 296 to take the early lead over Tusculum (311) and Saint Leo (315). Flagler (314) and Mount Olive (314) are tied for fourth. All five Bucs are in the top 10 individually after the opening round.

Barry's Nicky Ferre (Weston, Fla./American Heritage HS) shot 1-under 71 to grab the early lead at the top of the player leaderboard on the 6,062-yard Marsh Creek Golf Course. It is the second straight week Ferre has shot 71 in a round, which ranks among the Buccaneers' top 10 in the program's history.

Nancy Vergara shot par, and is second individually. Maria Paola Fiorio's 4-over 76 is tied for sixth. Taylor Babcock's 5-over 77 is tied for 10th, along with Daniela Murray, who also shot 77 in the opening round.

Mount Olive's Emelie Andersson shot 1-over 73, Saint Leo's Lauren Petty a 74 and Armstrong Atlantic's Jenna Birch 75 to fill in the third through fifth spots.

Play concludes Tuesday in the 36-hole tournament.

Ferre had four birdies and three bogeys. Vergara had four birdies and four bogeys.

Barry's quintet tees off beginning at 9:39 a.m. Tuesday in the final round. The Bucs will be paired with Tusculum and Saint Leo.

Flagler Fall Slam
Dates: Oct. 22-23, 2012
Marsh Creek GC • St. Augustine, Fla.
1st Round Scores
Par 72, 6062 yards
Fin. Team Total Par
1 . Barry 296 +8
2 . Tusculum 311 +23
3 . Saint Leo 315 +27
T 4. Flagler 316 +28
T 4. Mount Olive 316 +28
6 . Queens of Charlotte 318 +30
T 7. Armstrong 319 +31
T 7. Columbus State 319 +31
T 7. Seminole State (Fla.) 319 +31
1 0 . Lander 321 +33
1 1 . Carson-Newman 324 +36
1 2 . Catawba 325 +37
1 3 . North Georgia 341 +53
1 4 . Anderson (S.C.) 342 +54
1 5 . Flagler B 346 +58
1 6 . Thomas (Ga.) 348 +60
1 7 . West Georgia 352 +64
1 8 . Eckerd 385 +97

Fin. Player Team Total Par
1 . Nicole Ferre Barry 71 -1
2 . Nancy Vergara Barry 72 E
3 . Emelie Andersson Mount Olive 73 +1
4 . Lauren Petty Saint Leo 74 +2
5 . Jenna Birch Armstrong 75 +3
T 6. Kimesha Anthony Columbus State 76 +4
T 6. Danielle Baiunco Carson-Newman 76 +4
T 6. Maria Paolo Fiorio Barry 76 +4
T 6. Marie Santacroce Flagler 76 +4
T 10. Taylor Babcock Barry 77 +5
T 10. Jana Burkhardt Catawba 77 +5
T 10. Shannon Fraser Queens of Charlotte 77 +5
T 10. Sara Howard Tusculum 77 +5
T 10. Virginia Lane Mount Olive 77 +5
T 10. Daniela Murray Barry 77 +5
T 16. Victoria Choi Seminole State (Fla.) 78 +6
T 16. Clare Connolly Saint Leo 78 +6
T 16. Jillian Corum Tusculum 78 +6
T 16. Alec Cunningham Tusculum 78 +6
T 16. Emee Herbert Tusculum 78 +6
T 16. Iris Katla Queens of Charlotte 78 +6
T 16. Stephanie Tucker Flagler 78 +6
T 23. Heather Altiser Columbus State 79 +7
T 23. Michelle Reyes Lander 79 +7
T 25. Chanya Angwarawong Seminole State (Fla.) 80 +8
T 25. Grace Glaze Queens of Charlotte 80 +8
T 25. T. Caballer Hernani Lander 80 +8
T 25. Kelsey Jensen Seminole State (Fla.) 80 +8
T 25. Nicole Keyser Flagler 80 +8

Bucs Women's Golf Finish 5th at Saint Leo Invite

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:37:00 GMT

LAKE JOVITA, Fla. -- Barry women's golf team finished fifth at the Saint Leo Invitational Tuesday, dropping one spot in the team standings, despite cutting four strokes off its team total.

Barry shot 308-304 -- 612, finishing behind first-place Nova Southeastern, which shot a blistering 286 in the final round to finish at 586 in the two-round event at Lake Jovita Country Club's 6,140-yard course. First-rounder leader Lynn took second after finishing with a 306 in the final round for a 602. Florida Southern was third at 604, and Saint Leo fourth at 607.

Barry sophomore Nancy Vergara matched her personal best with a 1-under 71 to finish as the Buccaneers top individual at 150, earning her a tie for sixth place. First-round leader Nicky Ferre shot 80 in the second round, finishing a stroke behind Vergara in a tie for 10th. Both Vergara and Ferre matched the Buccaneers' sixth-best all-time round at 1-under in the tournament.

Nova Southeastern's Abbey Gittings won the tournament shot 2-under 142 to win the tourney. Teammates Linnea Johansson and Liliana Cammisa tied for second at 2-over 146.

Barry's Taylor Babcock tied for 16th at 154 after carding a 75 Tuesday. Babcock was 1-under in par-3 scoring, putting together a 2.88 average to match Vergara for the second-best effort in the event's statistical category. Vergara and Bucs teammate Daniela Murray each had five birdies in the 36-hole tournament, which was three shy of the leader. Murray and Ferre shot even-par on par-5 scoring holes.

Maria Paola Fiorio tied for 23rd after shooting 78 to finish at 157. Murray tied for 34th at 162.

The Bucs had 22 birdies as a team, which was five less than tournament-leader Nova.

Barry will compete in the Flagler Invitational next Monday and Tuesday in Saint Augustine, Fla., to compete the fall schedule.

2012 Saint Leo Invitational
Dates: 10/15-10/16
FINAL RESULTS
Fin. Top 20 Teams Scores
1 Nova Southeastern U. 300 286 586
2 Lynn University 296 306 602
3 Florida Southern 312 292 604
4 Saint Leo University 302 305 607
5 Barry University 308 304 612
6 Flagler College 313 322 635
7 Florida Tech 319 319 638
8 Mount Olive College 331 318 649
9 Florida Southern B 327 327 654
10 Columbus State 326 329 655
11 Tampa, U. of 345 352 697
12 Webber International 366 366 732
13 Johnson & Wales U-FL 379 373 752
14 Eckerd College 383 384 767

Fin. Top 20 Players School Scores
1 Abbey Gittings Nova SE 71 71 142
2 Linnea Johansson Nova SE 76 70 146
Liliana Cammisa Nova SE 75 71 146
4 Clare Connolly Saint Leo 74 73 147
5 Samantha Smolen Lynn 73 75 148
6 Nancy Vergara Barry (Fl) 79 71 150
Jessica Bradley Lynn 73 77 150
Megan Kiley Fl. South. 77 73 150
Ellen Chambers Lynn 73 77 150
10 Nicole Ferre Barry (Fl) 71 80 151
Amy Hodgkinson Fl. South. 79 72 151
Laura Huertas Saint Leo 75 76 151
Emily Rymer Fl. South. 80 71 151
14 Daniela Ortiz Nova SE 78 74 152
Barbara Vejlupkova Fl. South. 76 76 152
16 Marie Santacroce Flagler 79 75 154
Kimesha Anthony CSU 77 77 154
Taylor Babcock Barry (Fl) 79 75 154
19 Julie Loennechen Mt. Olive 76 79 155
Ragna Olafsdottir Saint Leo 74 81 155
Heather Petronis Saint Leo 79 76 155

Women's Golf 4th at Saint Leo Invitational

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:37:00 GMT

LAKE JOVITA, Fla. -- Barry freshman Nicky Ferre shot a 1-under 71 in the opening round of the Saint Leo Invitational to claim a share of the lead with Nova Southeastern All-American Abbey Gittings Monday at Lake Jovita Country Club.

"I couldn't be happier with the way Nicky's grinded," Buccaneers coach Shannon Sykora said. "She really wants to improve."

Ferre's 71 is tied for sixth all-time in Barry history for lowest round.

The Buccaneers sit in fourth place after shooting 308 on the 6,140-yard, par-72 course. Lynn holds the lead after three Fighting Knights shot 1-over 73 en route to a 296 team score. Nova Southeastern is second, four strokes behind Lynn. Host Saint Leo is third at 302.

Barry's Nancy Vergara, Taylor Babcock and Maria Paola Fiorio each shot 79, and are tied for 22nd. Daniela Murray shot 82, and is tied for 39th.

Ferre leads the tournament in par-4 scoring at 3.90. She sank four birdie putts, which is tied for second in the event behind Gittings' five. Babcock was tied for second in par-3 scoring at 2.75. Lynn's Louise Manalo leads that category at 2.50.

Lynn's Jessica Bradley, Ellen Chambers and Samantha Smolen each shot 73, and are tied for third individually.

Barry tees off beginning at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday for the final round of the tournament. The Bucs will be partnered with Flagler College and Florida Southern in Tuesday's final round.

"We've just got to play a solid round tomorrow so we can move up the board," Sykora said. "We're still in it. The girls that shot 79, that's probably three swings. They definitely feel like they left a few shots out there. We're just going to be patient."

2012 Saint Leo Invitational
Dates: 10/15-10/16, 2012
Round: 1
* Individual
Par-Yardage: 72-6140

Fin. Top 20 Teams Scores
1 Lynn University 296
2 Nova Southeastern U. 300
3 Saint Leo University 302
4 Barry University 308
5 Florida Southern 312
6 Flagler College 313
7 Florida Tech 319
8 Columbus State 326
9 Florida Southern B 327
10 Mount Olive College 331
11 Tampa, U. of 345
12 Webber International 366
13 Johnson & Wales U-FL 379
14 Eckerd College 383

Fin. Top 20 Players School Scores
1 Nicole Ferre Barry (Fl) 37- 34 71
Abbey Gittings Nova SE 35- 36 71
3 Jessica Bradley Lynn 38- 35 73
Ellen Chambers Lynn 38- 35 73
Samantha Smolen Lynn 38- 35 73
6 Ragna Olafsdottir Saint Leo 40- 34 74
Clare Connolly Saint Leo 40- 34 74
8 Laura Huertas Saint Leo 38- 37 75
Liliana Cammisa Nova SE 37- 38 75
10 Barbara Vejlupkova Fl. South. 38- 38 76
Kendra Bishop Tampa 37- 39 76
Julie Loennechen Mt. Olive 37- 39 76
Linnea Johansson Nova SE 40- 36 76
14 Kimesha Anthony CSU 39- 38 77
Megan Kiley Fl. South. 42- 35 77
Louise Manalo Lynn 39- 38 77
17 Daniela Ortiz Nova SE 41- 37 78
Jessica Hook FL Tech 39- 39 78
Nicole Keyser Flagler 41- 37 78
Olivia Ferrer Flagler 39- 39 78
Stephanie Tucker Flagler 39- 39 78

Women's Golf Finishes 4th at Nova Tourney

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:55:00 GMT

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Barry women's golf team finished fourth at the Guy Harvey Invitational Tuesday after shooting 616 at the PGA National Palmer Course.

Nova Southeastern won the tournament with a 589.

Barry's Nicky Ferre tied for 10th after shooting 6-over 150. Nancy Vergara shot 7-over 151 to tie for 14th. Taylor Babcock tied for 26th, finishing with a 13-over 157. Daniela Murray was a stroke behind Babcock, and tied for 28th. Maria Paola Fiorio shot 165.

Rollins Annie Dulman won the event at 2-under 142. Nova's Abbey Gittings, Daniela Ortiz and Lilliana Cammisa finished in the ensuing three spots to help the Sharks claim the team title.

Barry University	306	310	616	+40	4th
Nicole Ferre	74	76	150	+6	t-10th
Nancy Vergara	74	77	151	+7	t-14th
Taylor Babcock	81	76	157	+13	t-26th
Daniela Murray	77	81	158	+14	t-28th
Maria Paola Fiorio	84	81	165	+21	t-50th

Women's Golf 3rd Following 306 at NSU Guy Harvey Invite

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:56:00 GMT

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Barry University women's golf team shot 306 in the opening round of the Nova Southeastern Shark Guy Harvey Invitational Monday, and occupy third place in the two-day tournament.

Nova Southeastern leads the tournament after shooting 290, while Rollins is in second, five strokes ahead of the No. 4 nationally-ranked Buccaneers. Florida Tech is fourth, five strokes behind Barry, and Florida Southern is fifth at 310.

Barry's Nancy Vergara and Nicky Ferre each shot 3-over 74, and are tied with Incarnate Word's Flower Castillo for ninth individually on the 6,163-yard, par-72 PGA National Haig Course. Seminole State's Chanya Angwarawong leads the tournament after the first 18 holes, following her 1-under 71. Nova's Daniela Ortiz and Linnea Johansson shot par, and are lumped in a four-way tie for second with Florida Tech's Jessica Hook and Rollins' Annie Dulman.

Buccaneers sophomore Daniela Murray shot 77, and sits in a six-way tie for 19th. Taylor Babcock shot 9-over 81, and is tied for 41st. Barry teammate Maria Paola Fiorio shot 84.

Nova's Abbey Gittings and Lilliana Cammisa are tied with West Florida's Camila Sevillano in sixth at 1-over 73.

"It takes everybody to have a good team score," Buccaneers coach Shannon Sykora said. "As a team, we need to put it all together to move up the leaderboard."

PGA National Haig Course
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Dates: 10/8-9/2012
1st Round Scores
Par 72, 6163 yards

Team Standings

Rank		Team	Total	Par
	1	Nova Southeastern	290	+2
	2	Rollins College	301	+13
	3	Barry University	306	+18
	4	Florida Tech	309	+21
	5	Florida Southern College	310	+22
	6	Seminole State College	311	+23
	7	Lynn University	313	+25
	8	Embry-Riddle	315	+27
	9	Univ. of West Florida	319	+31
t	10	Univ. of Incarnate Word	321	+33
t	10	Univ. of Indianapolis	321	+33
	12	Northeastern State	324	+36
	13	Arkansas-Fort Smith	325	+37
	14	Queens Univ.	327	+39
	15	Univ. of Tampa	344	+56

Player Standings

Rank		Player	Team	Total	Par
	1	Chanya Angwarawong	Seminole State College	71	-1
t	2	Annie Dulman	Rollins College	72	E
t	2	Jessica Hook	Florida Tech	72	E
t	2	Linnea Johansson	Nova Southeastern	72	E
t	2	Daniela Ortiz	Nova Southeastern	72	E
t	6	Lilliana Cammisa	Nova Southeastern	73	+1
t	6	Abbey Gittings	Nova Southeastern	73	+1
t	6	Camila Sevillano	Univ. of West Florida	73	+1
t	9	Flower Castillo	Univ. of Incarnate Word	74	+2
t	9	Nicole Ferre	Barry University	74	+2
t	9	Nancy Vergara	Barry University	74	+2
t	12	Jessica Bradley	Lynn University	75	+3
t	12	Sophie Olley	Embry-Riddle	75	+3
t	12	Elin Olsson	Univ. of West Florida	75	+3
t	12	Kayla Sciupider	Rollins College	75	+3
t	12	Barbora Vejlupkova	Florida Southern College	75	+3
t	17	Kendra Bishop	Univ. of Tampa	76	+4
t	17	Elin Marcsdottir	Rollins College	76	+4
t	19	Irene Calvo	Lynn University	77	+5
t	19	Victoria Choi	Seminole State College	77	+5
t	19	Whitney McAteer	Northeastern State	77	+5
t	19	Daniela Murray	Barry University	77	+5
t	19	Rachel Polson	Florida Tech	77	+5
t	19	Jaclyn Schindler	Univ. of Indianapolis	77	+5
t	25	Amy Hodgkinson	Florida Southern College	78	+6
t	25	Megan Kiley	Florida Southern College	78	+6
t	25	Connie Pitenis	Embry-Riddle	78	+6
t	25	Clara Teixeira	Rollins College	78	+6
t	29	MacKenzie Cunningham	Embry-Riddle	79	+7
t	29	Kristen Garabedian	Rollins College	79	+7
t	29	McCandren Lewis	Northeastern State	79	+7
t	29	Taylor Penzer	Queens Univ.	79	+7
t	29	Emily Rymer	Florida Southern College	79	+7
t	29	Momo Sakuragi	Rollins College	79	+7
t	29	Jara Templet	Florida Tech	79	+7
t	36	Ellen Chambers	Lynn University	80	+8
t	36	Jessica Cornish	Univ. of Incarnate Word	80	+8
t	36	Grace Glaze	Queens Univ.	80	+8
t	36	Kelsey Jensen	Seminole State College	80	+8
t	36	Whitney Novak	Arkansas-Fort Smith	80	+8
t	41	Taylor Arnold	Arkansas-Fort Smith	81	+9
t	41	Taylor Babcock	Barry University	81	+9
t	41	Shannon Fraser	Queens Univ.	81	+9
t	41	Pia Jenko	Embry-Riddle	81	+9
t	41	Kelsey Kirkpatrick	Northeastern State	81	+9
t	41	Jenny Konop	Univ. of Indianapolis	81	+9
t	41	Louise Manalo	Lynn University	81	+9
t	41	Regan Pittard	Univ. of Indianapolis	81	+9
t	41	Bea Serra	Embry-Riddle	81	+9
t	41	Karisma Smith	Florida Tech	81	+9
t	51	Maddy Buhler	Univ. of Incarnate Word	82	+10
t	51	Jami Hendrix	Arkansas-Fort Smith	82	+10
t	51	Colleen O'Connell	Arkansas-Fort Smith	82	+10
t	51	Samantha Smolen	Lynn University	82	+10
t	51	Amy Thompson	Univ. of Indianapolis	82	+10
t	51	Luisa Villar Urquiza	Univ. of West Florida	82	+10
t	57	Felicia Leftinger	Florida Tech	83	+11
t	57	Kellianne May	Seminole State College	83	+11
t	59	Brittany Bradshaw	Univ. of Tampa	84	+12
t	59	Maria Paola Fiorio	Barry University	84	+12
t	59	Rachel Lewis	Nova Southeastern	84	+12
t	62	Ana Paula Costa	Nova Southeastern	85	+13
t	62	Lizeth Escobedo	Univ. of Incarnate Word	85	+13
t	62	Celeste Gish	Arkansas-Fort Smith	85	+13
t	62	Stormy Staton	Seminole State College	85	+13
t	62	Michelle Stein	Univ. of Tampa	85	+13
	67	Brianna Scheidler	Univ. of Indianapolis	86	+14
t	68	Kirsten Degutis	Northeastern State	87	+15
t	68	Iris Katla	Queens Univ.	87	+15
t	68	Jennifer So	Rollins College	87	+15
	71	Alex Koch	Northeastern State	88	+16
t	72	Laura Belanger	Queens Univ.	89	+17
t	72	Aimee Paterson	Univ. of West Florida	89	+17
t	72	Emily Tofaute	Florida Southern College	89	+17
t	72	Heather Wiquist	Embry-Riddle	89	+17
	76	Katharine Creighton	Florida Southern College	90	+18
	77	Agustina Cocha	Univ. of West Florida	91	+19
t	78	Kelly Krusoe	Rollins College	92	+20
t	78	Ryeanna Lopez	Univ. of Incarnate Word	92	+20
	80	Corri Camp	Univ. of Tampa	99	+27
	81	Allie Steffens	Univ. of Tampa	103	+31

Women's Golf Ranked 4th in Country

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:15:00 GMT

NEW YORK -- Barry University women's golf team is ranked No. 4 in the Golf World/Women's Golf Coaches Association poll.

The Buccaneers, who opened the season with a No. 7 ranking in the NCAA Division II Golfweek poll, finished second at their season-opening event, eight strokes behind Lynn at the Division II Preview at LPGA International in Daytona Beach. The tournament was halted short by rain after two rounds. It was originally scheduled for three.

Nova Southeastern, a three-time NCAA champ, is ranked No. 1 in the WGCA poll, followed by St. Edward's (Texas) and Lynn. Rollins is fifth, giving the Sunshine State Conference four teams in the top five.

Florida Southern is sixth, followed by Grand Canyon (Ariz.), Tarleton State (Texas), California (Penn.) and Newberry to occupy the seventh through 10th spots.

Seven SSC teams are ranked in the top 14 teams.

Barry will compete in Nova Southeastern's Shark Invitational at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens Monday and Tuesday.

Golf World/WGCA Coaches’ Poll

October 8, 2012 Issue

NCAA Women’s Division II

Rank Team Points NCAA

1. Nova Southeastern (19) 475 1

2. St. Edward’s 395 4

3. Lynn 378 6

4. Barry 373 7

5. Rollins 370 11

6. Florida Southern 350 2

7. Grand Canyon 308 3

8. Tarleton State 305 5

9. California U. (Pa.) 285 18

10. Newberry 276 13

11. Saint Leo 271 9

12. Central Oklahoma 247 8

13. Indianapolis 238 T-14

14. Florida Tech 214 NR

15. Augustana College 162 21

16. UNC-Pembroke 155 17

17. Grand Valley State 142 12

18. Midwestern State 138 16

S.W. Oklahoma State 138 NR

20. Dallas Baptist 137 NR

21. West Florida 130 17

22. Northeastern State 121 19

23. CSU-Monterey Bay 116 10

24. Sonoma State 90 T-14

25. Columbus State 80 NR

Also receiving votes: Flagler, 67; Drury, 65; Carson-Newman, 45; Lincoln Memorial, 44; Academy of Arts, 43; Lander, 43; Newman, 37; Tusculum, 28; Western Washington, 28; Findlay, 27; Mount Olive, 24; West Texas A&M, 24; Chico State, 23; Ashland, 11; Northwest Missouri State, 11; Shorter, 9; California Baptist, 8; Hawaii-Hilo, 8; Oklahoma Panhandle State, 6; The Incarnate Word, 4; Missouri-St. Louis, 4; Arkansas Tech, 3; Catawba, 3; Minnesota State, 3; Coker, 2; Southwest Minnesota State, 2; Wheeling Jesuit, 2; Pfeiffer, 1.

First-place votes in parenthesis.

Polls conducted by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. Voting closed Sept. 27, 2012

Buccaneers Finish 2nd at Division II Preview

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:58:00 GMT

Barry University women's golf team settled for second at the NCAA Division II Fall Preview at LPGA Legends Course in Daytona Beach Tuesday after rain cut the Bucs' season-opening event short.

The Buccaneers, who entered the season ranked No. 7 in the nation in the Golfweek poll, trailed Lynn after two rounds entering Tuesday's final scheduled 18 holes. Through nine holes in the final round, Barry still trailed Lynn at the turn before weather halted the tournament.

None of the nine holes from Tuesday's round counted. Barry finished second with a two-day total of 305-313 -- 618. Lynn won by 12 strokes.

"We're a little disappointed, not in the way we played, but just because we wanted an opportunity to have a chance to win the tournament," Bucs acting head coach Shannon Sykora said. "You can't compete with Mother Nature."

Barry freshman Nicky Ferre finished ninth at 8-over 152 on the par-72 course. Florida Tech's Rachel Polson shot a 1-over 72-73 -- 145 to win the medalist honor. Dallas Baptist's Sydney Williams was second at 146, and West Florida's Camila Sevillano and Florida Southern's Megan Kiley tied at 149. Three Lynn golfers, Irene Calvo, Ellen Chambers and Samantha Smolen, followed at 150, 150 and 151, respectively.

Buccaneers senior Taylor Babcock finished tied for 18th at 155, along with sophomore teammate Paola Grande. Sophomore Nancy Vergara was a stroke behind lumped in a tie for 24th. Freshman Maria Paola Fiorio tied for 42nd at 163.

Florida Tech finished third, three strokes behind the Bucs. Central Oklahoma was fourth and Florida Southern fifth on the course that will host the NCAA Division II National Championships in May.

"We got a great opportunity to see the course where we're hopefully going to be at nationals," Sykora said.

Barry will compete in the Nova Southeastern Shark Invitational Oct. 8-9 in Palm Beach Gardens at the LPGA National Golf Club.

RESULTS

Women's Golf 2nd At Division II Women's Preview

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:14:00 GMT

Barry University women's golf team is within striking distance entering the final round of the NCAA Division II Fall Preview at the LPGA Legends Course in Daytona Beach. The Buccaneers are lurking behind leader Lynn.

The Buccaneers shot 305-313 -- 618 through the first two rounds of the 2012-13 season-opening event, and sit 12 strokes behind the Fighting Knights, with whom Barry shared the first round lead.

Buccaneers freshman Nicky Ferre shot 78-74 -- 152 on the par-72 course. She is in ninth place, seven strokes behind leader Florida Tech's Rachel Polson, who will take a 72-73 -- 145 into Tuesday's final round. Dallas Baptist's Sydney Williams is second at 146, and West Florida's Camila Sevillano and Florida Southern's are tied for third at 149. Three Lynn golfers, Irene Calvo, Ellen Chambers and Samantha Smolen are within a stroke of each other at 150, 150 and 151, respectively, in the fifth through eighth spots.

Barry's Taylor Babcock is tied for 18th at 74-81 -- 155, along with teammate Paola Grande, who shot 76-79 -- 155. Nancy Vergara shot 77-79 -- 156 and is tied for 24th. Maria Paola Fiorio is tied for 42nd at 80-83 -- 163.

Florida Tech is three strokes behind the Bucs in third place, followed by Central Oklahoma and Florida Southern, who follow successively by a stroke behind the Bronchos.

Women's Golf Tees Off in Daytona Beach

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:30:00 GMT

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- When Shannon Sykora took over the reigns of the Buccaneers women’s golf program as the acting head coach in the summer, he came up with a plan that is really no different from any other college golf coach. Yet it’s one that needed implementation.

With more talent and depth added to a roster that returned all five members of its 2012 fourth place NCAA Division II National Championship squad, the competition for playing time increased this year. Now just days away from the start of the 2012-13 season, the Buccaneers enter the season set to tee off at the Division II Women’s Preview in Daytona Beach with more changes besides the coaching figurehead.

“Overall, I’m trying to have the girls compete every day so that we can put the best team on the course,” Sykora said. “We’re trying to compete as much as possible so that when it comes to the spring, we’ll have a tournament-sharp unit. It’s a new mix this year. The freshmen have come in prepared to compete for spots, and they’ve shown it.”

“I want them to be in their own world out there, and try to beat their teammates. But away from the course, I want them to be great teammates.”

Grande had nine rounds in the 70s in 2011-12. She placed 12^th at the Sunshine State Conference Championships, and carried an 80.69 stroke average. Murray, the elder stateswoman of the sophomore sisters, had a 79.50 stroke average. She had 10 rounds in the 70s, and finished runner-up in one event. Perini had seven rounds in the 70s, placed 11^th at the Barry Tri-Match, and carried an 80.60 stroke average through 15 rounds.

Ferre, the Miami Herald and Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year as a senior in high school, won the Central Florida Tournament of Champions, shooting a 6-under 66. She was eighth at the state championships. Fiorio was a semifinalist at the Italian Match Play Nationals in 2011. Fellow freshman Eiken Hansen was part of a high school team that won the Georgia state title.

“Expectations are high because there’s real competition at home,” Sykora said. “Scores at home have been solid.”

“Definitely,” Sykora said. “I can see these players developing into top-notch players.”

Top-notch players with top-notch personalities that show two different faces from time to time.

That’s the aim this team is shooting for throughout the course of the 2012-13 academic year, to use a few golf terms. Now it’s up to the Bucs to let it all sink in.

“Everybody’s pretty excited to kick off the season,” Sykora said. “We’ll have our fall season to really see where we’re at. Hopefully we can get some momentum going into the spring.”