Anderson and Limestone lead NCAA D2 South Regional

By golfclubsc on May 3, 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

Limestone’s Ebba Hellman has the lead going into the final round of the NCAA DII South Regional. As a team, the Saints are 2-shots behind Anderson. (Limestone photo)

Just a few years ago NCAA Division II programs in South Carolina were looking up at the heavyweights in the NCAA South Region.

Teams like Nova Southeastern, Lynn, Barry, Saint Leo and a few more were dominant in the Region and the field for the NCAA South Regional often reflected their dominance.

Things have changed.

This year the South Region includes seven of the top 10 DII teams in the county.

Lynn entered the Regional as the second ranked team in the country, but right behind the Fighting Knights was third ranked Limestone and fifth ranked Anderson.

After two rounds of the NCAA Division II South Regional at Grand Oaks Golf Club in Davie, FL. Anderson University has a two-shot lead over Limestone with the big name schools in the Trojans and Saints rear view mirror.

Anderson shot a second round 9-over par 293 to pass first round co-leaders Lynn and St. Leo’s and hold the lead over their neighbors from Gaffney going into the final round.

Limestone made the jump from sixth place to second place after the first round by improving 13 shots on their opening score.

The Saints shot the best round of the tournament so far when they put a 5-over par 289 total on the scoreboard.

Limestone’s Ebba Hellman has the individual lead after shooting rounds of 74 and 70 to stand at 2-over par 144.

Anderson’s Jessica Rathbone is tied for third place two-shots off the lead going into the final round. (Anderson Photo)

The Saints’ golfer has a 1-shot lead over Francesca Santoni from St. Leo.

Anderson sophomore Jessica Rathbone is tied for third two shots back,while teammates Victoria Hall and Kennedy McGaha tied for fifth place putting three Trojans in the top-five.

Anderson, Limestone and Nova-Southeastern will play in the same group for the final round.

Nova-Southeastern, St Leo, Barry and Lynn are all at least seven-shots behind the leaders.

Lander’s Hannah Stephenson playing as an individual finished the second round in a tie for eleventh.

Both the Saints and Trojans would certainly like to bring a NCAA Regional title back to the Upstate, the teams only have to finish in the top-five to advance to the NCAA DII finals scheduled for May 10-14 at the Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville, GA.

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