Kent State University
MAC Championship
Kent State Remains Perfect, Wins 25th MAC Championship
4/23/2024 5:30:00 PM | Women's Golf
GROVE CITY, Ohio – For the 25th time in program history, the Kent State women's golf program won the Mid-American Conference Championship on Tuesday to remain the only program in the league to ever hoist the trophy.
The Golden Flashes also claimed the individual title for the second year in a row, although this year the honor is shared by a pair of golfers. Sophomore Leon Takagi and senior Hester Sicking shared the top spot on the leaderboard, finishing the tournament 6-over par. Takagi has led the field all three days, while Sicking used an even-par 72, the low round of the day, to jump up three spots.
Sicking got off to a hot start in the final round, sitting a two-under par at the turn. She finished the day at even par, shooting even on seven of the final nine holes. She entered the clubhouse as the overall leader, but Takagi birdied three holes on the back nine, including the 17th and 18th, to earn a share of the title.
Veronika Kedronova two strokes behind the leaders, placing third overall at 8-over par. The freshman phenom shot a 4-over par 76 on the final day to round out the top-three.
After leading by just two strokes entering Tuesday's final round, the Flashes came through when it mattered most, posting a low-round 13-over par as a squad. Kent State finished 11 strokes ahead of second-place Toledo.
Rounding out the Flashes lineup, Jennifer Gu had her strongest day of the tournament to tie for 25th place. Gu shot a 4-over par 76, scoring 1-under on the back nine thanks to birdies on the 14th and 16th. Kristen Belden finished 48th in her first MAC Championship.
Sicking, Takagi and Kedronova claimed three of the five spots on the MAC All-Tournament Team alongside Ball State's Sarah Gallagher and Toledo's Amelia Lee.
The Flashes have clinched a spot in the 2024 Division I Women's Golf Championship and will find out their regional location during the selection show on Wednesday, April 24 at 2 p.m. Regional play gets underway on Monday, May 6.
Round 2 Recap
Leon Takagi leads the field and the Kent State women's golf team sits atop the leaderboard for the second day in a row after 36 holes at the Mid-American Conference Championship.
After start times were delayed due to frost in the morning, the Golden Flashes struggled a bit early in the round but found their footing as the weather grew warmer. Heading into Tuesday's final round, Kent State (+32) holds a two-stroke advantage over Toledo after finishing the day 24-over par. Northern Illinois sits in third place at 45-over par, followed by Akron at 55-over and Central at 58-over.
Takagi entered the round leading the pack and continued to hit the ball well, sitting one-under par at the turn. She finished her round 2-over par and sports a three-shot advantage heading into Tuesday's finale. Veronika Kedronova sits tied with Toledo's Amelia Lee in second at four-over par after shooting a five-over par 77. Hester Sicking climbed up the leaderboard thanks to a 2-over par 74 and finds herself in fourth place.
Jennifer Gu sits in for 38th place following a 15-over par 87, playing the back nine just 3-over par after a slow start. Kristen Belden rounded out the Flashes lineup with a 90 on the day and sits in 47th place.
Round 1 Recap
The Golden Flashes shot an 8-over par 296 to sit atop the leaderboard at the end of Day 1 of competition and sport a nine-shot advantage over second-place Toledo. Northern Illinois is in third place after a 22-over par 310 performance, while Central Michigan and Bowling Green are in a tie for fifth place at 27-over par 315.
Leon Takagi and Veronika Kedronova sit atop the leaderboard heading into Round 2 after both scored a 1-under par 71 to open the championship tournament. Both posted a team-high four birdies on the day. Hester Sicking sits in a tie for ninth place after a 4-over par 76. Sicking found her groove on the back nine, finishing even par on the final nine holes.
Jennifer Gu is tied for 14th place following a 6-over par 78. Kristen Belden rounded out the Flashes lineup with a 9-over par 81 but played the back nine 1-over par.
Team Results
1. Kent State +45
2. Toledo +56
3. Northern Illinois +73
4. Ball State +75
5. Central Michigan +83
6. Ohio +87
7. Akron +90
8. Bowling Green +96
9. Western Michigan +99
10. Eastern Michigan +108
Individual Results
t-1. Leon Takagi +6 (71, 74, 77)
t-1. Hester Sicking +6 (76, 74, 72)
3. Veronika Kedronova +8 (71, 77, 76)
t-25. Jennifer Gu +25 (78, 87, 76)
48. Kristen Belden +53 (81, 90, 98)
Tournament Information
Location: Grove City, Ohio
Course: Pinnacle Golf Course
Dates: April 21-23
Par: 72 - 6201 Yards
Players Mentioned
