K-State women’s golf team advances to NCAA nationals for first time in school history
Things keep getting better for the Kansas State women’s golf team.
Behind star senior Carla Bernat, the Wildcats had such a good regular season that they earned a rare invitation to the NCAA Lexington Regional. Now, thanks to an incredible third round on Wednesday, they are heading to nationals for the first time in school history.
K-State shot 10-under as a team in Round 3 to finish in a tie for second place behind regional team champion Florida State at Keene Trace Golf Club in Kentucky.
“Moments like this are why we do all the work,” head coach Stew Burke said. “It was a pleasure to be out there today with them. They were composed, confident, and determined. Nobody was going to give it to us, so we just had to go out there and take it.
“The team was excellent with everyone contributing this week. They never looked uncomfortable and just stuck to the task at hand. We couldn’t be prouder of how they came into this week wanting to play again next week and not resting on a great season.”
Bernat led the way with a spectacular 66 that featured an albatross on the par 5 fifth hole. That dropped to her 3-under on the day after starting out with four straight pars. Then she tacked on four birdies to cruise to medalist honors at the competition. She won the individual trophy by two strokes over Florida State’s Mirabel Ting and Lottie Woad with rounds of 70, 68 and 66 to finish at 12-under.
A native of Spain, Bernat continues to have an amazing season in purple.
“Carla really had a great tournament and built well into the week,” Burke said. “Winning a regional against the No. 1 and 2 players not just in the country but the world is no easy feat. It was special to see her albatross at hole 5, and it came right when we needed it as a team.”
She did most of the heavy lifting for K-State, but teammate Nanami Nakashima also went low on Wednesday. The freshman shot a 67 in the final round to help propel the Wildcats to the next round of the NCAA championship.
The top five teams at each NCAA Regional advance to the national competition. Those five teams in Lexington were Florida State, Georgia Southern, USC, Vanderbilt and K-State.
The Wildcats will next play at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California starting on May 16.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 1:34 PM with the headline "K-State women’s golf team advances to NCAA nationals for first time in school history."