Bernat Captures Individual Title as Cats Place Third

Monday, October 2

Manhattan, Kan.

Kansas State University

Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational

Oct 03, 2023 | Women's Golf

Final Results

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State junior Carla Bernat carded an even-par 72 on Tuesday, holding on for the individual title of the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational at the par-72, 6,446-yard Colbert Hills Golf Course.

As a team, the Wildcats finished in third place at 26-over par 890 after a final-round score of 12-over par 300, tied for the best in the field during the final round.

Bernat is the first Wildcat to earn individual medalist honors since Reid Isaac tied for first in the 2020 Schooner Fall Classic, while she is the first to win outright since Niamh McSherry took home the 2019 Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational title.

A native of Castellon, Spain, Bernat finished at 5-under par 211, tied for the third-lowest score in the 25-year history of the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational. It was also tied for the 10th-lowest score in school history.

"I'm delighted for Carla to get her fourth collegiate win as well as for Remington (Isaac) and Napua (Glossner) to record their top finishes as collegiate golfers," head coach Stew Burke said. "Overall, this week was experienced gained and opportunity missed. It was nice to get into position in the final round again with only a few holes to go, but unfortunately we couldn't capitalize on the opportunity and finished on the podium instead of holding the trophy. There's been some nice progress made and some development of the roster, which is ultimately going to pull us along throughout the year."

Bernat edged out teammate Remington Isaac, who was competing as an individual and finished in second place at 3-under par 213 following an even-par 72 during the final round. It was Isaac's best career finish and lowest 54-hole score, bettering the 1-over par 217 she put together in the 2021 Sam Golden Invitational and the tie for third place she recorded the next week at the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational.

Senior Napua Glossner also put together career bests competing as an individual as she tied for fourth place with a 54-hole score of 1-over par 217 thanks to a 1-under par 71 on Tuesday. She edged her previous career low tournament by one stroke, while her previous career-best showing was a tie for 13th place at the Auburn Invitational two seasons ago.

Freshman Alenka Navarro earned her first-career finish in the top 20 as she tied for 16th place at 9-over par 225. Senior Gabriela McNelly tied for 21st with a score of 11-over par 227, one stroke ahead of Noa van Beek, who tied for 24th place after a 2-over par 74 on Tuesday.

Senior Haley Vargas bounced back during the final round, moving 11 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for 39th place following a 2-over par 74. She finished the event at 18-over par 234. Freshman Julia Ballester Barrio finished in 46th place at 20-over par 236.

Sam Houston maintained its position atop the leaderboard with a winning tally of 19-over par 883, four shots ahead of second-place BYU.

Next action for K-State is October 15-17, when the Wildcats travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, to take part in the Mercedes Benz Collegiate Championship at Cherokee Country Club.