FROM STAFF REPORTS

University of Montevallo senior Emily Gibson became the first golfer in school history to advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament May 3 as she shot a 1-over par 73 in the final round of the NCAA Super Regional.

The top three teams and top three individuals not on those team rosters advance. Gibson finished as the second individual not on one of the top three teams.

Gibson, a Toronto, Ontario native, shot a three-round score of 10-over par 226 and finished tied for 12th overall in individual standings.

Gibson will travel to The Meadows in Allendale, Mich., for the National Championship tournament May 11-14. Gibson is the only Peach Belt Conference golfer to advance to the final tournament. Katja Dammann of UNC-Pembroke was the next highest Peach Belt Conference finisher with a three-round score of 233.

Three Sunshine State Conference schools took the top three team spots. Nova Southeastern finished first in team standings with a score of 875. Rollins came in second in team standings at 888 and Florida Southern finished third at 892.

The three individuals advancing to the NCAA Championships are Rita Kim of Belmont Abbey, who finished tied for sixth, Gibson, who finished tied for 12th, and Mary Tunnell of Carson-Newman, who finished 14th overall in individual standings.

Gibson, who is ranked 39th nationally by Golfstat, finished ahead of seven players who were ranked higher in the standings. Gibson will open play in the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament on Wednesday, May 11 in Allendale, Mich.