By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
Chasing a national title Thursday in Melbourne, Florida, Butpapaporn Sukterm of the Barton Community College women's golf team put together a historic run in coming up just two strokes shy at the 2024 NJCAA Division I Championships.
Utilizing just a four-man team for the tournament, the Cougars concluded their 13th straight trip to the season finale securely in the 12th overall position at 153-over par 1321. Barton opened with 332 and 336 before closing strong on the final two rounds of 326 and 327.
Sukterm was the Cougars' big story by posting multiple program records at the Championship including firing a final round 6-under par for a runner-up finish matching Peeradon Piddon's 2017 title chase.
Opening with a 2-over 75 on the par-73 course, Sukterm moved up from the 12th position each day behind a pair of 1-under 72 cards. Sitting in 5th place and eight strokes behind the leader in the final round, Sukterm drained a program record eight birdies in applying pressure to trail by one stroke with six to play.
Angelica Holman held off the charge, taking on another red number down the stretch to win the Championship at 8-under 284 leading Daytona State College's title on a record breaking 6-under par 1162 accumulated effort across the four rounds.
Sukterm's 6-under 286 also established the new program best at the national tournament to better a pair of third place finishers one stroke behind. Other program bests included 16 total birdies and just 11 holes of bogey or worse.
A pair of sophomores closed out their Barton career on the national stage for the second straight year, Valentina Leyva placing 51st at 36-over 328 with Andrea Peraza in 65th at 49-over 341. Frida Medellin wrapped up her freshman campaign with a 78th placing at 74-over 366.
Leyva, who placed 35th at last year's season ending tournament helping Barton match a program 6th best national finish, carded three birdies during the week including within her opening and best round of 80 for a 40th day one placing. Slipping to 48th following an 83 second day, Leyva stayed steady with 83 and 82 rounds through the final days of competition.
Peraza hovered in the low 70's of the leaderboard on 87 and 89 cards before climbing up the chart with an 84 card before concluding her Barton career on her week's best effort of 81.
A steady 90 and 92 rounds began Medellin's first national experience, posting her best round of 14-over 87 in the third round with a 97-card wrapping up the experience.
Barton scores and placings:
2nd Butpapaporn Sukterm -6, 286 (75-72-72-67)
51st Valentina Leyva +36, 328 (80-83-83-82)
65th Andrea Peraza +49, 341 (87-89-84-81)
78th Frida Medellin +74, 366 (90-92-87-97)
Team scores and placings:
1 - Daytona State -6, 1162 (288-288-292-294)
2 - Seminole State +4, 1172 (291-296-290-295)
3 - Odessa +51, 1219 (302-301-303-313)
4 - McLennan +58, 1226 (307-309-310-300)
5 - New Mexico JC +70, 1238 (316-298-310-314)
6 - Iowa Western +98, 1266 (321-314-310-321)
7 - Dodge City +102, 1270 (327-311-319-313)
8 - Eastern Florida +118, 1286 (321-324-323-318)
9 - Tyler +119, 1287 (331-324-329-303)
10 - Blinn +123, 1291 (322-326-322-321)
11 - Redlands +134, 1302 (329-326-322-325)
12 - Barton +153, 1321 (332-336-326-327)
13 - Shelton State +182, 1350 (352-335-338-325)
14 - John A Logan +200, 1368 (347-337-350-334)
15 - Rend Lake +294, 1462 (374-357-360-371)