The 13th ranked Barton Community College women’s golf team wrapped up play Tuesday with a fourth-place finish at the Region 6/Plains District Championships held at Sugar Hills Golf Course in Goodland, Kansas.
The Cougars opened with a 348 on Monday but responded with the field’s second-best round of the tournament Tuesday, firing a 328 to remain in fourth place at 108-over par 676.
No. 16 Eastern Wyoming climbed three spots on the final day to capture the team title at 98-over 666 (347-319), finishing five strokes ahead of No. 17 Dodge City’s 103-over 671 (341-330). Garden City edged Barton for third by a single stroke at 107-over 675 (342-333), while No. 22 Central Wyoming rounded out the top five at 175-over 743 (380-363).
Freshman Suri Rocha Orozco not only led Barton’s individual standings but also qualified for the national tournament, securing one of the two individual at-large spots reserved for top finishers not on a qualifying team. Rocha Orozco sat in third following an opening round 88 before carding a 9-over 80 on Tuesday, finishing fourth overall at 22-over par 164.
Panalee Prachavittayagon gave Barton a second top-10 finisher, climbing one spot on the final day with rounds of 88 and 80 to tie for ninth at 26-over 168.
Last year’s national qualifier Chomchanok Laparojkit finished just outside the top 10, placing 11th at 27-over 169 after rounds of 86 and 83.
Diana Alvarado followed in 15th at 34-over 176 (90-86), while Giovanna Tabanag rounded out the Cougars’ lineup in 20th at 38-over 180 (95-85).
Rocha Orozco will carry the Barton banner into the program’s 15th straight national tournament appearance, competing May 11-14 at the NJCAA Division I National Championships held at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois. As a team, the Cougars now await potential at-large selection, with announcements scheduled for May 6.
Barton scores and placings:
4th: Suri Rocha Orozco +22, 164 (84-80) *Qualifies for Nationals
T-9th: Panalee Prachavittayagon +26, 168 (88-80)
11th: Chomchanok Laparojkit +27, 169 (86-83)
15th: Diana Alvarado +34, 176 (90-86)
20th: Giovanna Tabanag +38, 180 (95-85)
Team Results:
1st – Eastern Wyoming CC (#16) +98, 666 (347-319)
2nd – Dodge City CC (#17) +103, 671 (341-330)
3rd – Garden City CC (#15) +107, 675 (342-333)
4th – Barton CC (#13) +108, 676 (348-328)
5th – Central Wyoming CC (#22) +175, 743 (380-363)
6th – North Platte CC (#24) +288, 856 (439-417)
7th – Northeastern JC +340, 908 (463-445)
