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Soydara makes history, Spartan Men win Region and advance to Nationals

By Craig Olson, 10/10/22, 7:00AM CDT

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Ellia Soydara shot an M State women’s school record with a 73 and earned women’s medalist honors with a 2-day total of 156 (83-73) at the Region XIII National Qualifier held at Victor Links Golf Course in Blaine.  With her performance, Soydara has qualified for the NJCAA Division III National Championship in June in Chautauqua, New York. 

In addition, the M State men’s golf team won the Region XIII National Qualifier with a two day total of 641 (326-315) over runner-up Southwest Tech from Fennimore, Wisconsin with a 676 (330-346).  This win qualifies the Spartans for the NJCAA Division III National Championship.  It is the 12th consecutive year the Spartans have qualified, the longest running streak in Division III golf.  Mikey Vall was the medalist with a two day total of 152 (78-74).  His 74 on day two was the lowest round of the tournament.


Ellia Soydara receives a fist bump from Coach Jason Retzlaff. PHOTO by JENNIFER SOYDARA

"What a performance by Ellia,” said Spartan Head Coach Jason Retzlaff. “She played incredible golf today and a round that was a historic number for our golf program shooting a 73, a new record for Spartan women's golf.  She drove the ball well, hit great iron shots, and showed great touch with the short game.  On Sunday she didn't record anything worse than a bogey all day. Best of all was shooting under par on the back nine under tournament pressure.  She is an outstanding young lady on and off the course and it is going to be a lot of fun watching her compete at Chautauqua next June."

Brielle Vis of Minnesota West was the individual women’s runner-up with a two day score of 182 (93-89).

Leo Stepan of M State was the men’s runner-up, finishing just one shot behind Vall with a two day score of 153 (75-78).  Dakota Rezacheck of Southwest Tech was third with a 159 (78-81).  The rest of the Spartan scores included a 163 (83-8) form Ryker Stukenholtz, a 173 (90-83) from Braxton Kerstein and a 174 (91-83) from Joel Quam.

"Just an awesome day for our men's team playing some clutch golf on day two to earn a trip back to New York,” said Coach Retzlaff.  “It was a battle as Southwest Tech played well on day one but we played extremely well on day two.  This team has shown improvement all fall and to have it culminate with a great team effort this weekend was very rewarding."

The Spartan men and Soydara will compete June 6-9, 2023 at Chautauqua Golf Course in Chautauqua, New York in the NJCAA Division III National Championship.  The Spartan men have finished in the top 5 at nationals every season since winning the title in 2012.  They have finished in third place 3 of the past 5 tournaments.

"I can't say enough about the way Mikey Vall played this weekend,” concluded Retzlaff.  “He drove it so well, he was under control, and made a bunch of putts.  He also played the last 5 holes in two under par to earn medalist honors.  Mikey is a high-character young man who I couldn't be happier for.  Leo Stepan also played great for us with two rounds in the 70's.  He has been our scoring leader and anchor on our team all fall and was big for us again this weekend."

 


The Spartan Men's Golf Team. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS


Ellia Soydara with an approach shot on the 16th hole. PHOTO by JENNIFER SOYDARA


Mikey Vall tees off at Victory Links. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS