NSU Horizons Fall 2018

34 NSU HORIZONS Women’s Golf Continues to Grow its Tradition of Excellence Not one. Not two. Not three… No, we’re not quoting LeBron James. We’re counting the number of national championships NSU’s Women’s Golf Team has won. And not just four Division II National Championships over decades, but four consecutive titles (2009-2012) – a feat that neither LeBron nor MJ ever achieved! “We have a winning culture, definitely” said Heather Wall, coach of NSU’s Women’s Golf Team. “Every year we’re chasing national championships, producing All-Americans. There is a rich tradition here, and it continues to grow.” Wall isn’t just speaking as the team’s coach – she was a player for Florida Southern College and routinely played against NSU. She experienced NSU’s winning streak from the other side. In those four National Championships, the Sharks showed their mettle at courses across the country. Each championship was earned at a different course – 2009: Findlay, Ohio; 2010: Mesa, Arizona; 2011: Allendale, Michigan; and 2012: Shelbyville, Kentucky. Clearly there was no “home course” advantage for NSU. In 2018, the Sharks put together a solid season and earned their way to the National Championship yet again by capturing third at the South Super Regional tournament. (They missed out on second place by one stroke.) It was their third visit to the National Championship in the past four years – and they took home a fourth-place finish. “We had a successful year [in 2018] but the nationals didn’t go the way we wanted,” Wall said. “But when you look at the numbers – total wins, individual accomplishments, and overall scoring, it was the best NSU team, ever.” Senior Jamie Freedman was named to the All-SSC First Team, and was the only Division II player selected to represent the U.S. at the Arnold Palmer Cup. She was ranked as high as third in the nation. Her accomplishments continue the team’s tradition. Sandra Changkija was named National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) National Player of the Year for four straight seasons and captured the NCAA DII Individual Championship (2010 – first time in program’s history). Abbey Gittings won NGCA DII Individual Championship (2012) and was named PING/NGCA and SSC Player of the Year. “There is definitely a standard of excellence that’s important to maintain,” said Freedman, who was BY JOE DONZELLI