At Hackberry Creek Country Club in Irving, Texas, the women of Our Lady of the Lake University delivered a composed and commanding performance at the Crusaders Cup, capturing the team title against a deep and competitive field. Over 36 holes, OLLU finished at +111, posting rounds of +40 and +71 to secure first place ahead of eight other institutions. With divisional points displayed throughout the event, the Saints consistently saw their name at the top of the team leaderboard.
Individually, OLLU placed four golfers inside the top 11, reinforcing the depth that carried the Saints to victory. Kendall Ward led the way with a runner-up finish at +23, tying for second overall. After an impressive +3 opening round that put her firmly in contention, she battled through a tougher second day (+20) and still held her position among the tournament’s elite. Her performance matched that of Shay West from Hardin-Simmons, trailing only medalist Kinley Pessel of LeTourneau, who claimed individual honors at +16.
Samantha Garcia added another strong finish for OLLU, tying for sixth at +27 with rounds of +13 and +14. Her steady play across both days delivered crucial strokes in the team race, particularly during pivotal stretches on the back nine. Grayson Weiler secured ninth place at +30, following a balanced +13 first round with a +17 second round to remain inside the top 10. Sophia Young tied for 11th at +33, improving her position through disciplined course management and resilience over 36 holes.
Samantha Ziegler rounded out the Saints’ lineup with a tie for 31st at +49. After a challenging first round, she responded with a significantly improved second-round score, exemplifying the perseverance that defines OLLU’s culture. Every contribution mattered, and her determination helped solidify the overall team margin.
While other teams relied heavily on a single standout, the Saints placed multiple players near the top of the leaderboard, limiting volatility and maximizing scoring opportunities. With runner-up individual finish, four top-11 placements, and a decisive team victory, the Saints are trending in the right direction as they head to Kerrville on March 1st.