Spiders Conclude Record-Breaking Season at NCAA Championship

Monday, May 8

Raleigh, NC

8:55 AM

University of Richmond

NCAA Regionals - Raleigh

Spiders Conclude Record-Breaking Season at NCAA Championship

05/10/2023 | Women's Golf

Results Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2 Photo Gallery 3

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Richmond Spiders wrapped up one of the most successful seasons in program history Wednesday, competing in the final round of the Raleigh Regional of the NCAA Championships at Lonnie Poole Golf Course.

Richmond finished the event at 79 strokes over par (943), 12^th in a 12-team field that included nine programs ranked among the top 50 in the nation.

"I think competing against the top teams in the country is a great experience for them and hopefully gives them something to strive for as we go forward," said Head Coach Calle Barlow.

Freshman Hannah Lydic led the Spiders with a 7-over 79 Wednesday as cooler temperatures brought periods of gusty winds, leading to the most difficult conditions of the three-day event. Lydic finished the event at a team-best 17-over par (233), 51st on the individual leaderboard.

Junior Rory Weinfurther, the only Spider to enter the week having experience at the NCAA Championships, having competed in the Columbus, Ohio Regional after winning the Patriot League individual title in 2021, placed 56th at 22-over par (238). Weinfurther was one shot in front of Vicky Zhu, the only senior in the Spiders lineup.

"I'm so grateful to be here. I wouldn't be here without all of my teammates," said Zhu of having the chance to play her final collegiate event at the NCAA Championships. "It's a great way to end my career."

Zhu walked in Richmond's graduation ceremony Sunday, missing Richmond's practice round at the Lonnie Poole Course and driving down to Raleigh with her parents that evening.

"It's amazing. It's so nice. They haven't seen me play for three years," said Zhu of her parents, who reside in China. "I'm so glad they were here."

Sophomore Lauren Jones tied for 58^th at +24 (240), and freshman Olivia Wilkie placed 60th at +27 (243).

Wednesday was the Richmond's 25^th and final round of the 2022-23 season, one of the most remarkable in program history.

During the course of the season, Richmond finished first in a pair of tournaments, tying for first at the William & Mary Fall Invitational in September and running away with the Patriot League title in April, and tied the lowest round in program history, a 1-under 287, twice.

Richmond also recorded the two lowest tournament scores in program history, a 13-over 877 at the William & Mary Fall Invitational and a 10-over 874 at the Patriot League Championship, the lowest team score in the history of the event.

Lydic set school records for lowest 18-hole score (65, -7) and lowest tournament score (205, -11) en route to winning Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors.

Weinfurther finished the year with a stroke average of 74.52, the lowest ever by a Spider in a single season, and lowered her career scoring average to 75.20, also best in program history.

Barlow was named Patriot League Coach of the Year after leading the Spiders to a 16-stroke win at the Patriot League Championship, the largest margin of victory in event history.

"I think that the kids that I've got and the culture that they are building is really second to none," said Barlow. "And they're doing a really good job of living the values that we all came up with as a team. I really think it's just going to continue to get better and hopefully we're breaking records every single year."