Frisco, Texas- The Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) has announced its inaugural fall watchlists for the Jackie Steinmann WGCA National Coach of the Year Presented by Golf Pride, PING WGCA Player of the Year, and WGCA Freshman of the Year Presented by StrackaLine on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The watchlists recognize the top coaches and student-athletes in Division II golf for their performances throughout the fall season, highlighting those who have made an early impact on their teams and the collegiate golf landscape.
The University of Findlay women's golf team earned recognition across all three inaugural fall watchlists announced by the WGCA.
Head Coach Dominic Guarnieri was named to the Jackie Steinmann WGCA National Coach of the Year Watchlist after leading the Oilers to three tournament victories this fall. Findlay captured titles at the Gilda's Club Laker Fall Invite, William Beall Fall Classic, and Intercollegiate at Nemacolin. The Oilers posted an adjusted scoring average of 287.39, highlighted by a season-best 281 (-7) in the second round of the Gilda's Club Laker Fall Invite and are currently ranked third in the WGCA Coaches Poll.
Ashleigh Duflo, Ellie Yeazell, Emma Myers, and Lillian O'Grady earned spots on the WGCA Player of the Year Watchlist, while O'Grady and Chaille Payne were named to the WGCA Freshman of the Year Watchlist.
The reigning Great Midwest Player of the Year and first-team all-American, senior Ashleigh Duflo ranks fourth nationally and first in the East Region according to Clippd. The Ada, Michigan native claimed individual medalist honors at the Gilda's Club Laker Fall Invite and finished runner-up at the Intercollegiate at Nemacolin. Duflo holds a 246-8-1 record this season while maintaining a 71.29 adjusted scoring average.
Senior Ellie Yeazell, a second-team all-American selection last season, ranks 11th nationally and third in the East Region. She has recorded two top-three finishes this fall while posting a 71.71 adjusted scoring average which includes five rounds at even par or better.
Sophomore Emma Myers earned her first career individual victory at the Intercollegiate at Nemacolin and currently ranks sixth nationally and second in the East Region. Through 14 rounds of play, Myers has compiled a 71.79 adjusted scoring average.
Freshman Lillian O'Grady has made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut, earning recognition on both the Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year Watchlists. She ranks 22nd nationally and fourth in the East Region while posting a 72.34 adjusted scoring average. O'Grady has recorded two top-five finishes, including a runner-up performance at the Gilda's Club Laker Fall Invite.
Fellow freshman Chaille Payne joins O'Grady on the Freshman of the Year Watchlist after a strong start to her collegiate career. Despite competing in just three tournaments this fall, Payne has recorded a 73.95 adjusted scoring average. Her best finish came at the Gilda's Club Laker Fall Invite, where she secured a top-10 finish.
