Dupage Policy Journal

The College Conference of Wisconsin and Illinois (CCIW) women's golf fall season for 2025-26 has seen several notable achievements by both teams and individual athletes.

Augustana's Lauren Reinertson achieved a standout performance, recording a single-round score of 69 at the Highland Championship. This result is the second-best round in Augustana women's golf history. Carthage's Lexi Manteufel also had a strong showing, posting a two-round tournament score of 144 at the Wartburg Fall Invitational, the best among CCIW golfers this fall.

Illinois Wesleyan led team performances with record-setting scores. The Titans posted a single-round team score of 297 and a two-round total of 595 to secure their first win at the IWU Fall Classic in its 25-year history. The team also competed against Division I schools at the Redbird Invitational, finishing tenth overall and defeating six Division I opponents.

Sophomore Gigi Zera from Illinois Wesleyan scored a two-round total of 146 (73-73) at the IWU Fall Classic, placing third individually and earning recognition as CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week. Junior Emily Gastrau added a two-round total of 150 (72-78), tying for seventh place in that event.

Carthage placed second out of six teams at the CCIW Preview on September 16 with a score of 327 (+43). At the Wartburg Fall Invitational, Carthage finished fifth out of 21 teams with rounds of 316 and 319 for a total score of 635 (+59). Their best single round was a 306 during the IWU Fall Classic.

Lexi Manteufel led Carthage by scoring consecutive rounds of 72 for her two-round total at Wartburg, securing second place individually. She also led her team with rounds of 77 and 72 at their season opener, finishing tied for first but ultimately taking second after tiebreakers.

Augustana continued its success by winning the Highland Championship for the sixth straight year with a team total score of 614. The Vikings' lowest single round was a score of 300 on day two of that event. Sarah Bond contributed with a winning round of 72 at the CCIW Preview and had Augustana's lowest two-round tournament total this season (152) during the Highland Championship. Reinertson’s round of 69 was noted as both her personal best this season and among school records.

North Central tied for second place at Benedictine Fall Invitational on September 10 with a single-round score of 331. Their season began strongly with fourth place at Carthage’s Firebird Fall Classic, scoring their lowest two-day tournament total (644). Senior Mallorie Clifton led North Central individually, finishing fifth in their opener and fourth at Benedictine.

Millikin started its season with top-three finishes, including fourth place at Highland Classic—its third-lowest all-time team score over two rounds—and third in the CCIW Preview. Sophomore Zoey Beard led Millikin’s efforts while junior newcomer Ava Hackman made an impact in her debut tournaments.

Carroll finished fourth overall at Judson Invitational on September 3 and placed seventh at Highland Championship earlier in fall competition. Sophomores Lynea Sekany and Grace Knilans were key contributors to Carroll’s results.

Elmhurst earned back-to-back runner-up finishes to open its season, including second place out of fourteen teams at Judson Invitational and fourth place in the CCIW Preview. Elise Nelson recorded Elmhurst's lowest individual round this fall (77), while Hailey Vogt achieved her career-best (79) leading to top-five finishes.

Wheaton improved throughout early tournaments, highlighted by Emma Lee’s collegiate debut where she posted Wheaton’s lowest two-round total so far (169). Lee also claimed Wheaton's best individual finish—fourth place—at Judson Invitational.

These results mark an active start to women’s golf within the conference as teams prepare for further competition throughout autumn.