Newberry’s Besio Finishes Second At NCAA DII Women’s Golf Championship

MESA, Ariz. - Newberry College sophomore Maria Besio claimed 2nd place in a field of 71 participants after the completion of Saturday's final round of the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament for women's golf in Mesa, Ariz.

Besio (Buenos Aires, Argentina) held a four stroke lead heading into the fourth round, but struggled on the front nine for the first time in the tournament. Rallying to sink three birdies on 13, 16, and 18, Besio finished Saturday's round even on the back nine with a full day stroke total of 82, 11-over par.

After leading through three rounds of play, Nova Southeastern University star Sandra Changkija over took Besio shooting a 72, 1-over par, and totaling 284 (74-67-71-72; +1). Besio wrapped up her first national tournament appearance, representing Newberry as an individual, with a combined four round stroke total of 290 (71-68-69-82; +6).

Joanna Coe from Rollins College took third place individually with a four day score of 295 (74-70-77-74; +11).

Nova Southeastern cruised to a team national title finishing the tournament with a 40-stroke advantage. The Sharks were just 44-over par as a team over 72 holes and completed play with a combined team score of 1180 (298-285-296-301).

Despite a disappointing final day in Mesa, Besio carved up the par-71, 6,159-yard Longbow Golf Club for the first three rounds at a record-setting pace. The sensational sophomore's three round stroke total of 208 set not only school and South Atlantic Conference records, but broke the NCAA mark for best score in relation to par (-5).

On Thursday, Besio churned out two new school and conference records. Shooting a second round of 68, Maria broke the school and conference record for an 18-hole low and her first two round combined score of 139 eclipsed the record for a 36-hole low. Besio led the national tournament with 15 birdies and was the only individual player in the top-15.

The 2009-10 campaign for Besio may have ended without a national championship, but there is little doubt that Maria's season was the best in Newberry women's golf history. Culminating in a national runners-up effort this week, Besio tallied an astounding seven top-5 placements in 11 tournaments during the year including three individual tournament victories.

Maria's stroke average of 73.6 over 26 rounds for the season ties the school record and Besio holds the Newberry program records for 18-, 36-, and 54-hole lows. A first team All-SAC selection, Besio became the first Newberry women's golfer to win the Food Lion SAC Championship as an individual as well as the first individual to qualify for the national tournament.

Playing in the number one position for Newberry all year long, Besio helped the scarlet and gray win six team tournament titles, four consecutively including the SAC Championships. With major contributions from Besio, Newberry earned a berth to the NCAA Super Region 2 tournament for the first time in program history.

For full final results, click here.

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