INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The Cleveland State women's golf team has been selected to finish fifth in the Horizon League this season, as voted upon by League head coaches and announced Thursday afternoon.
The Vikings tallied 51 total votes, 10 more than Purdue Fort Wayne (41 votes) who is ranked sixth, and only four less total votes that Oakland and Green Bay who are tied for third place (55 votes). IUPUI has been picked to finish first, receiving all nine first place votes, while Detroit Mercy sits in the ninth spot, receiving only 13 total votes.
Leading the way for the Vikings this season are seniors Ashley Knight, Madison Butler and Kaylee Neumeister.
Knight recorded an impressive junior season, notching five top-20 finishes, including two top-10 finishes, with a stroke averaging of 77.1. The Sylvania, Ohio, native registered her two top-10 finishes at the Roseann Schwartz Invitational and the Shirley Spork Invitational. In addition to her athletic achievements, Knight was named to the GEICO Horizon League Women's Golf All-Academic Team last year.
Butler played in six events and 16 rounds during the 2019-20 season, recording six top-20 finishes and one top-five finish, placing fifth at the Roseann Schwartz Invitational.
Neumeister, who missed the 2019-20 season due to an internship, returns for the Vikings this season. A three-time GEICO Horizon League Women's Golf All-Academic Team member, Neumeister ranked second on the team in 2018-19 with a 77.3 scoring average. In that season, the Cortland, Ohio, native earned medalist honors at the Youngstown State Spring Invitational with a 72 and was named Horizon League Player of the Week on April 17.
Meg Rossouw is the lone junior on the team. Rossouw, who comes to Cleveland State from England, played in six events and 14 rounds during the 2019-20 campaign, notching one top-20 finish at the Roseann Schwartz Invitational.
Averi Hanna and Lexi Knight complete the sophomore class, while Olivia Swain is the lone Viking freshman.
Cleveland State will compete on Monday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 23 at the Nevel Meade Collegiate.
2021 #HLGOLF Women's Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. IUPUI – 81 (9)
2. Youngstown State – 58
T3. Green Bay – 55
T3. Oakland – 55
5. Cleveland State – 51
6. Purdue Fort Wayne – 41
7. Northern Kentucky – 27
8. UIC – 24
9. Detroit Mercy – 13
#GoVikes