Daytona State Falcons claim 12th NJCAA women’s golf title in decisive rally
The Falcons overcame a two-stroke deficit to finish one shot ahead of Odessa College at the Oakwood Country Club in Illinois.
Daytona State College has cemented its standing as a dominant force in collegiate athletics, securing its 12th NJCAA women’s golf national championship on May 14. The victory, achieved at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois, marks the second national title for the Falcons in a three-year span, reinforcing the institutional consistency of the programme under long-term leadership.
The tournament concluded with a narrow margin of victory, as Daytona State finished with a total score of 69 over par, edging out second-place Odessa College, who recorded 70 over par. The Falcons entered the final day in second place, trailing Odessa by two shots, but delivered their strongest performance of the four-day event on Thursday. The team fired a collective 13-over-par round to close the gap and secure the crown, while no other team finished within 45 strokes of the leaders.
Individual performances played a critical role in the team’s success, with Daytona State being the only squad to place two golfers in the top six of the individual standings. Freshman Alana Kutt finished second individually at 10-over-par, spearheading the team’s effort, while fellow freshman Jamie Lowry placed third at 12-over-par. The Falcons also demonstrated depth, with three additional players finishing inside the top 21. Sophomore Cambree Hodge tied for 13th at 27-over-par, Kalia Polete finished 17th at 28-over, and Emma Wells placed 21st at 31-over.
Despite Daytona State’s team triumph, Odessa’s Napajira Luesattha claimed the individual national title for the second consecutive year. Her performance underscored the competitive intensity of the field, even as her team fell short in the overall standings. The result highlights the disparity between individual excellence and team cohesion, with Daytona State’s balanced scoring proving decisive in the final tally.
The championship adds to the legacy of head coach Laura Brown, who has guided the programme for 28 seasons. Brown is the only coach the programme has ever had, and her tenure has seen the Falcons win 12 national trophies, averaging a championship nearly every other year. This latest victory underscores the institutional stability and strategic continuity that have characterised the Daytona State women’s golf programme since its inception.
