Falcons Finish Season Strong; Fahey Named Sportswoman Of Year At MAC Championships

Sunday, April 21

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Bowling Green State University

Mid-American Conference Championships

Falcons Finish Season Strong; Fahey Named Sportswoman Of Year At MAC Championships

April 21, 2019 | Women's Golf

By: by James Nahikian, BGSU Athletic Communications

Final Results
Golf Stat Results

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – The 2018-19 season came to an end for the Bowling Green State University women's golf team on Easter Sunday (April 21). The Falcons put together two really solid rounds to finish in eighth place at this year's Mid-American Conference Championships. The championships were held at the Purgatory Golf Club in Noblesville, Indiana.

The Falcons posted rounds of 298 and 302 on the day for a total team score of 928 over the three-round competition. Bowling Green's eighth-place finish is a two-place improvement from last season. BGSU's 298 was the fourth-best team score in the second round. Bowling Green finished ahead of Western Michigan and Central Michigan. BGSU finished just one stroke away from tying Ohio's 927.

Kent State, the 10th-ranked team in the country, took home this year's title. Toledo and Northern Illinois finished second and third, respectively.

Bowling Green's two seniors in the lineup – Julia Durkin and Erin Fahey – led the way for the Falcons. Durkin finished T-16, while Fahey finished T-19. The pair of seniors both had strong days to close out their Falcon careers. Durkin shot a round-two 72, which was BGSU's lowest round for the tournament. Durkin carded five birdies on the front nine, and concluded her day with a round-three 75.

Fahey improved as the tournament went on, which was a common theme throughout her historic career. The senior turned in rounds of 74 and 73, registering five birdies on the afternoon. Earlier in the morning, Fahey was named the Mid-American Conference Sportswoman of the Year, becoming just the third player in school history to earn the honor.

Take a look at the 2019 MAC Women's Golf Sportswoman of the Year #focusfunfamily #team pic.twitter.com/E8sjq7jBTk
— BGSU Women's Golf (@BGWomensGolf) April 21, 2019

Fahey's legendary career at Bowling Green is solidified by her 76.49 stroke average, which is the best mark in BGSU women's golf history. Fahey, who played in 108 rounds of golf as a Falcon, owns the record by 1.74 strokes.

"Erin Fahey winning MAC Sportswoman of the Year was such a special award for our program," said head coach Stephanie Young. "And such a special way to end her record breaking career."

Also finishing out her career as a Falcon was Sarah Kern, who did not compete on the weekend but did contribute to BGSU's third-place finish at the Dolores Black Falcon invitational over April 6-7.

Bowling Green's MAC Championship lineup was capped off by efforts from Jessica Madry (T-30), Nichole Cox (T-35) and Sammi Blackburn (T-46). Madry turned in rounds of 74 and 76 on the day, while Cox carded a pair of 78's while racking up five birdies.

The Falcons experienced a fantastic 2018-19, claiming first-place finishes at the Shirley Spork Invitational (Oct. 8-9) and Mid-American Match Play Challenge (Feb. 4-5). Both tournaments had 10-plus school fields. The Falcons also won the head-to-head with Ohio at the Spring Cup Challenge (Feb. 2) to bring home another trophy.

"I am really proud of how hard we fought today," said Young. "It was one of the most intense days of golf and our team gave it their all. Five shots separated five teams. We fell short of our goal and it hurts now, but when we remember the season as a whole, this will be one we'll remember forever."

So proud of this team. 298/302 today. Strong 36 hole finish. #memories #forever pic.twitter.com/k1ByjBkoAG
— BGSU Women's Golf (@BGWomensGolf) April 21, 2019

FALCON LEADERBOARD
T16. Julia Durkin (80-72-75—227)
T19. Erin Fahey (81-74-73—228)
T30. Jessica Madry (85-74-76—235)
T35. Nichole Cox (83-78-78—239)
T46. Sammi Blackburn (84-80-82—246)

TEAM LEADERBOARD
1. Kent State (857)
2. Toledo (875)
3. Northern Illinois (896)
T4. Ball State (923)
T4. Eastern Michigan (923)
6. Akron (924)
7. Ohio (927)
8. Bowling Green (928)
9. Western Michigan (938)
10. Central Michigan (965)