LAS CRUCES, N.M. (October 15, 2025) - The Northern Arizona women's golf team saved its best for last at the NMSU Golf Iconic Classic, climbing from seventh place to finish second overall with a total score of 857 (-7). NAU was the only team to finish the final day under par despite challenging weather conditions.
Boise State claimed the team title at -13, while the Broncos' Leia Chung earned individual medalist honors by one stroke after rounds of 70 (-2), 68 (-4), and 69 (-3).
"The golf course played extremely tough in the third round with high winds all day, but we persevered and played some amazing golf," head coach Brad Bedortha said. "We were the only team under par today and jumped five spots up the leaderboard to finish in solo second place. Nina had her career low in the first round and finished tied for fourth, her best finish yet, and we couldn't be happier for her. Amy and Lizzie also had great finishes at tied eighth and twelfth, respectively. Overall, a great tournament for us!"
The tournament was highlighted by senior Nina Lukyanenko's career-best 67 (-5) in the opening round. She followed that with consecutive even-par 72s to close out the event, finishing tied for fourth overall. Lukyanenko picked up two birdies on the front nine in the final round and added an eagle on the par-5 12th hole.
Also finishing inside the top 10, Amy Hodgkins carded a 71 (-1) in the third round with two birdies, including one on her final hole, to climb seven spots on the leaderboard and finish solo eighth at -3. Hodgkins tied for second in par-5 scoring at -6 (4.50 avg.).
Just one stroke back, Lizzie Neale recorded a 69 (-3) to jump 25 spots into solo 12th at -2 overall. A birdie on her opening hole set the tone for a round that featured four total birdies.
Frankie Dezis posted a 76 (+4) to finish tied for 36th (+4) and led the entire field in par-3 scoring, averaging 2.75 (-3). Sumin Kang rounded out NAU's lineup with a 75 (+3) to finish tied for 57th (+7), highlighted by back-to-back birdies on holes 12 and 13.
Competing individually, Ava Bates shot a 79 (+7) in the final round to finish tied for 88th (+16).
As a team, the Lumberjacks dominated on the par-5s, finishing -17 (4.72 avg.), four strokes better than Boise State.
"I am very proud of the team's efforts over the last three days and am looking forward to what we can accomplish in Vegas in two weeks," Bedortha added.
Northern Arizona will close out the fall season by hosting the annual Clash at Boulder Creek, October 27–28.
Stay up to date with the Northern Arizona women's golf team by following the 'Jacks on Instagram and X.
RESULTS
1 - Boise State: -13
2 - Northern Arizona: -7
3 - UC Irvine: -5
4 - Santa Clara: -1
T5 - Houston Christian: +3
T5 - Long Beach State: +3
T5 - Northern Colorado: +3
T8 - Sacramento State: +6
T8 - New Mexico State: +6
10 - San Diego State: +7
11 - Texas El Paso: +17
12 - Nevada: +18
13 - UT Arlington: +19
14 - UC Riverside: +23
15 - Jax State: +27
16 - Incarnate Word: +40
17 - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: +41
18 - Eastern Kentucky: +42
19 - Southern Utah: +78
NAU RESULTS
T4 - Nina Lukyanenko: 67 + 72 + 72 = 211 (-5)
T8 - Amy Hodgkins: 73 + 69 + 71 = 213 (-3)
12 - Lizzie Neale: 73 + 72 + 69 = 214 (-2)
T36 - Frankie Dezis: 73 + 71 + 76 = 220 (+4)
T57 - Sumin Kang: 74 + 74 + 75 = 223 (+7)
T88 - *Ava Bates: 76 + 77 + 79 = 232 (+16)
*Playing as an individual
