Courtesy of CNU Athletic Communications

HOUSTON -- Making the first ever appearance by a CAC and CNU women's golfer in the NCAA Division III National Championships, sophomore Erica Whitehouse wrapped up a top-ten finish at the national tournament on Friday afternoon with a 17-over 305. The Captains' second-year star tied for 9th in the 131-player field, just nine back of the individual champion Cordelia Chan from Williams College.

"This week at the NCAA National Championship was a great experience for Erica," said head coach Jamie Coleman, "and for CNU women's golf. I couldn't be more proud of her play, attitude, and personal growth this week. She had the lead for several holes on day three, and gave her best all four rounds. The future of our young program is very bright, and we are leaving with a hunger to return next year and win a national championship."

Whitehouse signed for an 8-over 80 on the final day with ten pars. She finished second among individual qualifiers in the four-day tournament with a 305 (77-73-75-80). 

Playing the Bay Oaks Country Club course for the fourth day, marking the first 72-hole tournament of Whitehouse's career, the Captains' sophomore finished strong with six straight pars to close out her final round. Unfortunately for her run at the 2019 national title, Whitehouse had given back eight strokes prior to that run to slip back to ninth place on the leaderboard.

For the run of the week, Whitehouse finished fifth in Par 4 scoring with a nine-over score and a 4.23 average. She was one of only three sophomores to finish in the top-ten at the 2019 national championships.

Whitehouse wraps up her second season at CNU with a 76.32 stroke average over 19 rounds of play. She finished in the top ten in six of her eight events played, including five top-five's and three wins. An honorable mention WGCA All-American this season, Whitehouse is a two-time conference champion and Player of the Year in the Capital Athletic Conference. She leads the second-year program which will return all five starters to the lineup next year.