Spartans Win NCAA Regional Following Kiira Riihijarvi's Lead

2021 NCAA South Regional Champion Tampa Spartans
2021 NCAA South Regional Champion Tampa Spartans
May 5, 2021

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The University of Tampa women's golf team captured the program's first-ever NCAA Regional title as it won the South Regional by 13 strokes. Reigning National Player of the Year Kiira Riihijarvi was crowned the medalist.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
UT Finish: 1st, 882 strokes, +18 (297-290-295)
Team Champion: Tampa, 882 strokes, +18
Host: NCAA, Lee University
Location: Cleveland Country Club | Cleveland, Tenn.
Total Rounds: 3
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SPARTAN LINEUP:

OTHER NOTABLES:

  • This is the second career NCAA Regional individual championship for Riihijarvi, who also won as a freshman in 2017. She was third overall in 2018 and 20th in 2019.
  • This is the 13th career tournament medalist performance for Riihijarvi, who remains the lone tournament champion in program history.
  • UT now has four team-tournament titles. This marks the first since championing the UIS Island Getaway in 2019.
  • Riihijarvi opened the tournament with a team-best 66. That was the top round for any individual at the event.
  • A total of nine teams competed at the tournament.
  • Montagnino made it two Spartans in the top five as she shot a 72 in the final round.
  • Riihijarvi led throughout, and finished five strokes ahead of the nation's number-two ranked player, Lynn's Helen Kreuzer. They were the lone players in the field to finish under par.
  • Tampa, ranked No. 6 in the nation, was victorious over No. 2 Lynn, No. 3 Limestone, No. 8 Florida Southern, No. 9 Anderson (S.C.) and No. 10 Barry. Flagler (16) and West Georgia (27) are also ranked nationally.
  • Riihijarvi was the top-ranked individual at the event at No. 1. The event featured five of the nation's top-10 players, including four of the top five.
  • Also ranked individually for the Spartans are Cadavid (30), Bjørge (46), Montagnino (80).
  • Wednesday's play included two rounds as Tuesday's round was rained out.

.UP NEXT:
Tampa now advances to the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championships, which is scheduled for May 11-15 at TPC Michigan in Dearborn, Mich. The event will feature a practice round on Tuesday, May 11, following a single round in the four following days.

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