Bernat’s Season Concludes in NCAA Championship

Friday, May 17

Carlsbad, Calif.

Kansas State University

NCAA Championship

May 19, 2024 | Women's Golf

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CARLSBAD, Calif. – With a round of 6-over par 78 on Sunday, Kansas State junior women's golfer Carla Bernat concluded her first season with the Wildcats in the 2024 NCAA Championship held at the par-72, 6,297-yard La Costa Champions Course at Omni La Costa Resort.

Bernat did not survive the 54-hole cut for Monday's final round as she carded a three-round score of 13-over par 229.

Despite missing the cut, the Castellon, Spain, native turned in one of the most impressive seasons in K-State women's golf history, setting a new school record for single-season scoring average at 70.90. She also produced five of the program's top 11 54-hole scores in school history and three of the school's top 26 18-hole scores. She will enter her senior season tied for third in career victories (2) and fifth in career top-five finishes (6). Additionally, if she keeps her current pace, she will shatter the school's career scoring average mark of 74.13, which is currently held by Connie Jaffrey (2014-18).

"Today was the end of a great season, and Carla should be exceptionally proud of herself," first-year head coach Stew Burke said. "All of the K-State Family should be proud of the attention and excitement she brought to K-State women's golf throughout the season. The great thing about her is she is always looking to find that edge, get better and is really receptive to criticism and direct conversation. She has earned some time and relaxation, and I can't wait to see what her senior year holds, not only for her but the K-State women's golf program."

Bernat's third round began on a promising note as she birdied the par-5 10th hole for the first time during the championship. However, three bogeys and a pair of double bogeys closed out her round.

"This has been a great year for the program and individually for Carla as she continues to smash records and sets us up for the future," Burke said. "Carla truly bought into the K-State Family atmosphere, how important it is to be a great teammate, and also a leader for our program. Ultimately, how much she loves K-State and the Manhattan community is a testament to her pride and desire to represent both entities. I have been lucky enough to coach some of the world's best golfers – including U.S. Open Champion Allisen Corpuz – but I can honestly say that Carla is, and continues to be, the best player that I've ever helped develop."

Texas A&M's Adela Cernousek continues to sit atop the individual leaderboard at 12-under par 204 prior to Monday's final stroke-play round to crown an individual NCAA Champion. The Aggies are ahead on the team leaderboard at 10-under par 854 as the 30-team field was cut to 15 teams prior after Sunday's round. The field will then be cut again to the top eight teams with match play being conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday to determine a national champion.

Kansas State enjoyed a successful first season under Burke as the Wildcats produced four top-five finishes – their most in seven years – and earned a victory at the White Sands Invitational in October – their first tournament win away from their home course since October 2017. Additionally, K-State produced a team scoring average of 290.25, which would have been the school record had the Wildcats played two more rounds to qualify.