Bernat, Valociek Earn Top-10 Finishes in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kansas State seniors Carla Bernat and Kobe Valociek each picked up top-10 finishes following final-round play of the Blessings Collegiate Invitational on Wednesday at the par-72 Blessings Golf Club.

Bernat, who turned in a final-round score of 3-over par 75, concluded the event at even-par 216 to tie for fourth place. It was the 16th top-five finish of her collegiate career and second this season. She led the Wildcats to a fifth-place finish among the 10-team women's field at 45-over par 909.

"On days like today, the goal was always to play better and move up the leaderboard. We certainly achieved the first through the first 15 holes but unfortunately just couldn't close out the round as well as we would have liked," women's head coach Stew Burke said. "A fifth-place finish in this field is a testament to how far we've come. However, we're all feeling as if we missed an opportunity to beat some of the best teams in the nation. We look forward to a quick turnaround and getting better for our next event in Denver."

Valociek, a transfer from Virginia Tech, tied for 10th place at 5-over par 221 after a score of 4-over par 76 during Wednesday's final round. It was the sixth top-10 finish of his collegiate career and second this season. As a team, the K-State men finished in eighth place at 51-over par 915.

"It was a tough day. We got off to a shaky start, then got it together a little as we were making the turn, but unfortunately things really spiraled out of control on the back 9," men's head coach Grant Robbins said. "The good thing about playing this type of format on this tough of a golf course early in the fall is you learn a lot about your team and, more importantly, what we need to improve on. We have to put this behind us, learn from it and get ready to go at the Big 12 Match Play next week."

Sophomore Alenka Navarro finished second among the Wildcat women as she turned in a 54-hole score of 14-over par 230 to tie for 25th place after a round of 4-over par 76 on Wednesday. Junior Noa van Beek tied for 32nd place at 19-over par 235, two shots ahead of freshman Nanami Nakashima, who tied for 39th place. Senior Sophie Bert turned in her best round of the event on Wednesday at 1-over par 73, and she tied for 50th place at 29-over par 245.

Nicklaus Mason improved four spots on the leaderboard on Wednesday to tie for 15th place at 7-over par 223 thanks to a final-round score of 2-over par 74. Ian McCrary and Cooper Schultz tied for 46th place at 20-over par 236, five shots ahead of JP Roller, who finished in 53rd place.

The Arkansas women and LSU men took home the team titles, as the Razorbacks finished at 12-under par 852 and the Tigers concluded the event at 2-under par 862. Both squads also had the individual medalists in Maria Jose Marin on the women's side at 11-under par 205 and Gunnlaugur Arni Sveinsson on the men's side at 7-under par 209.

The K-State women's golf team has a quick turnaround as it flies on Wednesday to the Denver area to prepare for the Ron Moore Intercollegiate, which takes place Friday through Sunday, in Highlands, Colorado. The men's squad must also regroup quickly as it competes in the Big 12 Match Play Tournament, Monday through Wednesday, in Hockley, Texas.

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Players Mentioned

Carla Bernat

Sophie Bert

Nanami Nakashima

Alenka Navarro

Noa van Beek

Players Mentioned

Carla Bernat

Sophie Bert

Nanami Nakashima

Alenka Navarro

Noa van Beek

Kansas State University Athletics