“You guys are the unofficial Big Ten champions,” friends of Kent State women’s golf coach Lisa Strom told her after her team won the Indiana Invitational this weekend in Bloomington, Indiana.

The Flashes beat every team in the Big Ten Conference by at least 10 strokes. 

“I’ve just kind of giggled,” Strom said. “But there’s a lot to be said for where we are as a program and not trying to put a limit on what we can do. We might be in a mid-major conference, but we certainly compete against the best in the country.”

Kent State finished at 8-under-par 856 and had three players finish in the top 10. 

“To win against all the Big Ten teams is a great confidence booster going into postseason play,” Strom said. “But we also have a lot of things left to accomplish.”

Junior Emily Price led the Flashes, tying for first with a total score of 4-under 212. 

“She missed two events (the first with an injury at the Valspar Augusta Invitational) but got back in the lineup and performed really well,” Strom said. “It was great to have her back helping the team score, and it definitely added our depth back into our lineup.”

Senior Chloe Salort tied for sixth at even-par 216, and senior Kory Nielsen tied for eighth at 1-over-par 217.  

“I always remind them that we don’t get the chance to win all the time in college golf,” Strom said. “Every week we are trying to build and be at our peak level, so it’s neat to see all their hard work come together. They’re feeding off of each other, and the competitiveness amongst the team is really good.”

After unofficially winning the “Big Ten,” the team will compete for its 22nd-straight Mid-American Conference Championship Friday and Saturday. Kent State is the only women’s golf program to ever win the MAC Championship.

“We are well aware of the streak and we’re well aware of how important it is to our program to continue that tradition,” Strom said. “But it is one step in front of us right now, and we have to keep that process in mind.” 

After the MAC tournament comes the NCAA regional and national championships. The Flashes are currently ranked No. 17 in Division I by Golfweek magazine.

Pilar Lewis is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].