The Carnegie Mellon University women’s golf team made history on Friday, winning the first NCAA Division III Championship for any women’s program in university history.
The Tartans turned in a final round of eight-over par 296 to finish play with a 14-stroke advantage at the 2024 NCAA Division III Championships in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The Tartans carded a 72-hole score of 1,187 (298’299 -294’296 ) to become national champions.
"This championship is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our team," said Carnegie Mellon Head Coach Dan Rodgers. "Each member brought their best to every round, and their commitment to excellence truly paid off. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful for the unwavering support from our university and community."
The Tartans have competed in five NCAA Championships in the nine seasons of the program. In all five appearances, CMU has placed within the top five: 2018 (5th), 2021 (2nd), 2022 (4th), 2023 (4th) and 2024 (1st). The Tartans’ 72-hole score of 1,187 (+8) is the lowest four-round score in program history.
How it happened
- Alexis Sudjianto led the Tartans over the four rounds with a five-over par 293 (71-75-69-78). Sudjianto placed tied for third individually in a field of 150 golfers.
- On Friday, Nikita Jadhav carded a round of even par 72 and finished with a 300 (73-80-75-72).
- Samantha Wang shot a two-over par 74 over the final 18 holes and ended the championships with a 302 (76-72-80-74).
- Kaylin Yeoh entered the clubhouse on Friday with a 75 and had a four-round score of 303 (78-79-71-75).
- Sriya Mupparaju ended the championships with a 305 (78-73-79-75).
"It’s a moment none of us will ever forget, and one that will forever be cemented in Carnegie Mellon history." - Josh Centor
The NCAA Division III Championship is the second in university history for any team sport. The other team to win a national title was the men’s golf team last season on the same course.
"It was such a privilege to watch our women compete and bring home the national championship," said CMU Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "It’s a moment none of us will ever forget, and one that will forever be cemented in Carnegie Mellon history."
A season of success
First-year student Samantha Wang along with Dan Rodgers have been recognized nationally by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA). Wang was named the Division III WGCA Freshman of the Year Presented by StrackaLine and Rodgers was named the Division III Jackie Steinmann WGCA National Coach of the Year Presented by Golf Pride.
Wang entered the national championship competing in 14.5 rounds for the Tartans this season with a scoring average of 74.1. She recorded a season-low round of four-under par 68 at the Montgomery Country Club Women’s Intercollegiate where she earned individual medalist honors in her first collegiate event. Wang also set the school record for lowest individual 36-hole total in the program’s history at the event, carding a six-under par 138. She also claimed individual medalist at the Savannah Invitational.
For the fifth straight season, multiple members of the Carnegie Mellon University women’s golf team earned All-America honors from the WGCA with another earning regional recognition.
Graduate student Alexis Sudjianto , junior Sriya Mupparaju and Wang were named to the All-America first team while junior Kaylin Yeoh joined the trio on the honorable mention team. First-year student Nikita Jadhav complemented her teammates as a regional honoree.
