Entering the Mid-American Conference tournament, coach Katherine Mowat has never been more confident in her team.
The Ball State University women's golf team is entering the conference meet as the winner of three of its last four events after winning two events in Mowat's three previous year's as the team's coach.
"This is the best team in program history," Mowat said. "We currently have our highest national ranking and have posted scores better than ever before."
Ball State is No. 102 in the Golfweek national rankings and has won four events this season, including a win to open the fall season. The Cardinals, who last competed at and won the Cardinal Classic, are averaging 310.3 strokes per round this spring.
Mowat said the team is feeling good about how it is playing and is really excited and motivated for the championship meet.
"It's really good timing how everything has come together for us at this championship," she said.
Mowat said she does not think the young age of Ball State will hamper it from competing well at the MAC meet. The Cardinals' roster is comprised of one junior, three sophomores and one freshman who will compete at the event. Kirsty O'Connor, Brittany Kelly, Paige Esford, Sarah Windlan and Amy Roberts will play for the team.
Mowat said she thinks Kelly and O'Connor could compete for the medalist honors at the league meet.
O'Connor leads the team with a 76.70 average this season while Kelly is averaging a 77.04 round. Both players had their career-best rounds at the MAC Preview Tournament in September, which was at the same course as this weekend's championship. O'Connor tied for second with a 143 at the meet while Kelly finished fifth with a 148 in her second collegiate event.
"It's in the back of my mind," Kelly said. "I'm not really thinking about it much."
In Mowat's first season with Ball State, Katie Sundberg took the medalist honors at the MAC meet. The team finished fourth and then finished sixth in 2006. Ball State had its best showing at the meet in program history in 2006 with a third place finish.
Kent State University, which is ranked No. 15 nationally, has won the conference meet in each of the nine years it has been played.
Kelly said the championship could go to any team in the field.
"It's definitely been our goal all season long, to make a run for the MAC," she said. "It's a possibility, but we're taking it one step at a time."
The Cardinals' path will begin with 36 holes Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. at The Brickyard Crossing Golf Course in Indianapolis. The teams will then play 18 holes Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m. both days, at the 6,126-yard, par-72 course.
Mowat, who made the NCAA tournament her senior season at the University of Louisville and twice as an assistant coach at the University of Mississippi, said it would be incredible to win the MAC and take her team to the NCAA tournament as a head coach.
"I think we can put together great rounds, and we can do our part in playing the best we can," she said. "There is a possibility our scores can beat everyone else in the field."
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