By COURTLIN HAYGARTH | HSU Sports Network

CORAL SPRINGS, Florida — In the latest Women’s Golf Coaches Association Poll, the Henderson State women’s golf program reached their highest ranking in program history at No. 3 in the country. No other sport at HSU has seen a ranking higher.

Dallas Baptist remained at No. 1, garnering eight first-place votes. Henderson earned the second most first-place votes of anyone with five, while Lynn earned three and took the No. 2 overall spot. Defending national champion University of Findlay (4) and University of Indianapolis (5) finish out the Top-5.  

Previously at No. 13, the Reddies defeated both Dallas Baptist and Lynn at the DBU Women’s Classic, along with several other top-ranked teams, to top the 16-team field by four strokes. Gracen Blount earned GAC Golfer of the Week honors with her sixth-place finish after carding a 5-under 211 across 54 holes.

Allie Bianchi and Blount have both recorded a pair of Top-10 finishes through the season’s first two tournaments. Fellow-returner Daphney Tilton paced the Reddie golfers at the season-opening Central Region Fall Preview., finishing third with a 2-under 142.

After losing two members from last year’s national championships-qualifying team, head coach Colton Cowan brought in two newcomers in Nebraska-Omaha transfer Jinna Boonbumroongsuk and true freshman Lily Nelson, who have filled the two vacancies brilliantly. Boonbumroongsuk finished in a tie for 14th and 18th through her first two events as a Reddie and Nelson placed 22nd and 18th in her first two collegiate tournaments.

After winning its first two tournaments of the 2022 fall season, No. 3 HSU will enjoy a couple weeks off before heading to Eureka, Missouri for the National Championship Preview Oct. 10-11.