Women’s golf ready for NSIC Championship

Aaron Young
Staff Writer

Now that the men’s NSIC Championship is in the books, the focus turns to the women’s golf team. This weekend, the Mavericks will be competing in the women’s NSIC championship at Paradise Point in Smithville, MO.

As I looked outside my window, I was surprised to look at over two feet of snow, but should I be? Spring seems to be nudging winter to go away for good, but the snow still continues to make its presence known and has had a major impact on spring sports.

Head coach of the women’s golf team, Nicolas Campa, acknowledges how the weather has affected the team and season overall.

“As you know, our spring season has been greatly hindered by Mother Nature.  I really don’t know what to expect from the team with our practices limited to indoor practice,” he said of his expectations going into the weekend.

Earlier this week, the women traveled down to Kansas City, MO for an Invitational. They finished in 10th place. The head coach believes the team did well with what they had in preparation. However, he understands the challenge heading into the NCIS championship.

“I felt we played as well as [we] could be expected at our last tournament at the UMKC invitational but it was well below our capability due to our lack of practice on regular greens,” he said. “Since we are playing with NSIC teams we are all playing at the same disadvantage. “

No matter the outcome of the NSIC Championship, one thing is for certain: Captain Genie Short will be graduating. The senior has earned All-Academic selection the last two years and averaging a score of 84.4 over her entire career as a Maverick golfer. Campa knows how much she has impacted the team and what her departure means.

“Genie Short is our Captain and has been a great leader. Her leadership will be hard to replace. I am hoping that someone will step up to supply the leadership she has given us and I believe we have the depth on the team that we should be very successful in the coming years,” Campa said.

Whether that be one of the four soon to be seniors, or an underclassman is yet to be discovered. Either way, someone is going to have to jump into the driver’s seat and putt to success next year.

As for this year so far and the upcoming NSIC championship, the coach wants his team to be confident in their ability and see the positive.

“My message to the team is to believe in yourself no matter how much adversity you encounter. Don’t judge or analyze the bad results, focus on the task at hand,” Campa said.

He likes to keep his messages short, sweet, and to the point.

Get ready for applause and maybe even a trophy (knock on wood). The Mavericks golf team will be playing for their chance at the gold this weekend in Smithville, MO.

Photo: (Courtesy of msumavericks.com)