RAPID CITY, S.D. - Led by rookie #Megan Woodland#, the UVic Vikes women's golf team matched their best-ever result at the NAIA Championship with a ninth place finish.

CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE & FINAL RESULTS

Woodland placed ninth amongst 128 individuals at Meadowbrook Golf Course after finishing the tournament at 22-over. For the Victoria native and Claremont grad, it is the best-ever finish by a UVic first year competitor, and is the second highest finish in school history.

For the Vikes, they matched their top team finish, which was established a year ago. In Friday's final round of competition, four of the five Vikes competitors turned in low tournament rounds. The Vikes day four combined score of 319 put their total at 1287, or 63 strokes behind champion UBC.

The final day surge - only six teams turned in lower rounds - was highlighted by #Anne Balser#'s four-over 76. Balser, who will represent Canada at the FISU World Championship for a third time this spring, finished the tournament at 29-over and in 27th place.

Nathalie Silva of California Baptist won the individual crown after finishing the tournament at 13-over 301.

Rounding out the field of Vikes competitors included a 34th place finish from #Alyssa Herkel#, who finished 31-over with a final round of 83. #Kristy Chew# ended the championship by shooting an 83 and placed tied for 84th. Rookie #Michaela Misener# made up ground on the final day with a round of 87 and finished 102nd.

The Vikes will now turn their attention to the RCGA Canadian University Championships, which run May 30 through June 3. This year's tournament is being hosted by Kingswood Park Golf Club in Fredericton.