Spartans Finish Runner-Up at NCAA South Regional, Advance to NCAA Championships
May 5, 2026

Spartans Finish Runner-Up at NCAA South Regional, Advance to NCAA Championships

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CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The University of Tampa women's golf team secured a runner-up finish at the 2026 NCAA Division II South Regional, carding a three-round total of 902 (301–296–305) to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Championships.

Ranked No. 11 nationally, the Spartans finished second behind top-ranked Wingate (894) and ahead of nationally ranked Anderson (SC) and Barry, who tied for third at 909. Tampa was one of four teams from the regional to advance to the NCAA Championships and finished ahead of a loaded field featuring nationally ranked programs such as Lee, Lander, Lynn, Nova Southeastern, Rollins, and Florida Southern.

The three-round regional was contested May 4–6 at Cleveland Country Club, with Tampa delivering consistent play throughout all 54 holes to comfortably finish above the projected cut line and qualify for nationals.

Toennessen Leads Spartans with Top-12 Finish

Ruth Toennessen paced the Spartans with a tie for 12th finish at 224 (+8), posting rounds of 74, 75, and 75. She remained near the top of the leaderboard throughout the tournament and delivered Tampa's top individual performance in the regional field.

Shanahan, Mora Add Strong Finishes

Kelly Shanahan finished 16th overall at 226 (+10), highlighted by a second-round 73 that helped Tampa climb the leaderboard entering the final day.

Maria Mora tied for 21st at 228 (+12), producing one of Tampa's best rounds of the tournament with a second-round 71.

Balanced Team Effort Powers Tampa

The Spartans received scoring contributions throughout the lineup across all three rounds. Justine Bayle tied for 39th at 232 (+16), while Kat Brictson tied for 42nd at 233 (+17).

Tampa's second-round 296 proved pivotal, helping the Spartans move into strong qualifying position entering Wednesday's final round. The Spartans ultimately secured one of the four NCAA Championship berths from the regional.

Spartans Scorecard

  • T-12. Ruth Toennessen – 224 (+8). Rounds: 74, 75, 75. Led Tampa with a top-12 finish.
  • 16. Kelly Shanahan – 226 (+10). Rounds: 76, 73, 77. Posted Tampa's second-best finish.
  • T-21. Maria Mora – 228 (+12). Rounds: 77, 71, 80. Recorded one of the tournament's best second-round scores.
  • T-39. Justine Bayle – 232 (+16). Rounds: 79, 77, 76. Improved her score in each round.
  • T-42. Kat Brictson – 233 (+17). Rounds: 74, 82, 77. Opened the tournament with an even-par effort.

Tampa NCAA History

The Spartans are making their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and their third trip to the NCAA Championships. Tampa previously advanced to nationals in 2021 and 2023, recording a 10th-place finish in 2021 and a 12th-place finish in 2023.

Tampa captured the 2021 NCAA South Regional championship with a three-round score of 882 (297–290–295) and has now posted four top-four regional finishes since 2021, including runner-up finishes in both 2025 and 2026.

The Spartans have also produced several standout NCAA individual performances in recent years. Ana Maria Jimenez Rios won the 2023 NCAA South Super Regional individual title and later finished 23rd nationally at the 2024 NCAA Championships. Kiira Riihijarvi claimed regional medalist honors in 2017 and 2021 while also recording NCAA Championship top-10 finishes in both 2017 and 2018.

Up Next

Tampa advances to the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championships, scheduled for May 12–16 at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens.