SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - It was a very dramatic day for freshman Lauren Gervais in her first experience at the NCAA East Regional. Gervais found herself in position to qualify for the NCAA National Championship as she was tied for the second individual spot to advance with Kendall Farm of Lewis.

The top six teams from the regional plus two other individuals not associated with the top six teams would get the chance to compete at nationals. Heather McLean of Illinois-Springfield finished ninth with a 220 for three rounds to take the first spot. Gervais and Farm were battling for the second and final spot as the final round concluded. The par-3, eighth hole is where Gervais made up a stroke. The ladies teed off at the 10th hole so the eighth hole was their 17th hole of the day. Farm took a double-bogey 5 on the 170-yard hole, while Gervais carded a bogey 4. Both got a par on the par-4, ninth hole to go into a playoff. It started at the first hole, a par-4, 340-yarder and both scored a par. The next hole was the par-4, second hole measuring 311 yards. Farm shot a par and Gervais a bogey to end her hopes of advancing.

"I don't think words can accurately describe what an amazing week this was," said head coach Melanie Loughin. "Lauren represented our university and athletic department with class and was a true competitor in the process. She played amazing golf, and even though the end result wasn't what she wanted, there are a hundred positives to take away. I'm beyond proud of her!"

Gervais shot identical 74's in all three rounds to break her own school 54-hole record. She finished as the second best golfer among GLIAC entries. Gervais also finished is a tie for the single-season scoring average record at 77.5 with Hannah Meloche from 2019-20. The biggest difference is that Gervais played 28 rounds compared to just 11 for Meloche.