Coach-of-the-year Jodee Schaben and sophomore league winner Sarah Paulson Oct. 3, 2009

Paulson repeats as league champ

DECORAH—Shattering an Iowa Conference tournament record which she shared, Central College sophomore Sarah Paulson (Ottumwa) cruised to her second straight league women’s golf title Saturday. Dutch coach Jodee Schaben was tabbed the league’s coach of the year after piloting her club to a second-place team finish. Wartburg College claimed its fifth conference title in the past six years. After holding a narrow three-shot lead over Central after three rounds, the Knights completed the 72-hole tourney at 311-314-331-330—1286, a new league championship record. Central was 17 shots back at 322-305-332-344—1303, a new school mark. The first two rounds of the tournament were staged at the Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls last weekend before the final 36 holes in cold, wet conditions at Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah.  

Paulson carded a 73-72-73-82—300, six shots better than the old school and league tourney record, and seven shots better than runner-up Ellen Rickert of Wartburg.

“Sarah played a great tournament,” Schaben said. “She wasn’t happy with how she finished but in a 72-hole tournament, you’re going to have rounds that are not quite as smooth.

“The good players are the ones that can grind and I thought all of our players did that.”

Eva Downes (senior, Woodstock, Ill., Marian Catholic Central HS) was seventh for the second straight year at 81-77-87-85—330 with Nicole Wenstrand (junior, Essex) 10th at 87-75-84-90—336. Both earned all-conference honors.

Kaurie Kincaid (freshman, Knoxville) was 13th at 82-81-88-88—339 and Ashley Smith (freshman, Johnsburg, Ill.) was 22nd at 86-88-93-89—356.

“It just wasn’t an easy day,” Schaben said. “But nobody ever gave up. They stayed positive and fought for every shot. We gave it all we had for four days and that’s all I can ask.”

Central’s showing was its best since 1993. The Dutch had tied for second last year after finishing sixth in 2007. And it’s fueled hopes that the team has an outside chance at an at-large berth in the NCAA Division III tournament next spring.

“I think we have a legitimate shot,” said Schaben, who shared league coach of the year honors last year before winning it outright this season. “We need to work hard in the off-season and play well in the spring. But first we need to take a break and enjoy what we’ve accomplished this fall.”