The Shelton State Women’s golf team claimed the 2025 NJCAA Division II National Championship on Friday at Cedar Pointe Golf Course in Boone, Iowa. This marks the College’s first-ever national championship in women’s golf.
The Lady Bucs dominated the rest of the field, winning by 34 strokes and never trailing at any point during the event.
“To say I’m proud of these seven young ladies is an understatement,” head coach Chris Sanford said. “They played very well the first two days and then battled their rear ends off in some very adverse wind in rounds three and four.”
The wind conditions did not make it easy for all the golfers in the field in Boone, Iowa. For most of round three and four, the wind sat at 25 mph, with gusts up to 40-50 mph.
“Playing in 25 mph winds with gusts to 40 and 50 is just something you can’t prepare for,” Sanford said. “It was very difficult, and given the tournament and what they were playing for, they came through with flying colors. This group listened to all the coaches speak, worked hard, and had the bond that champions have.”
After day one, Shelton State led by six strokes over Mesa Community College (Arizona), led by ACCC Golfer of the Year Peyton Maraman and Katie Hallmark, who both posted a 76 in the opening round. Sawyer Hobbs added a 77, while Jordan Ransdell and Ashlee Allen both shot an 82.
The Lady Bucs would start to pull away from the field in round two, shooting their lowest score of the spring season. All five Lady Buc golfers would post sub-80 rounds en route to a team score of 304. Peyton Maraman and Katie Hallmark again led the way, posting a pair of 75s, while Jordan Ransdell and Ashlee Allen scored 77. Sawyer Hobbs finished the round with a 79. This would extend the lead to 19 strokes over Mesa CC. (615-634).
Round three was much more difficult, but the Lady Bucs found a way to extend the lead. Jordan Ransdell led the way with a 79 while Peyton Maraman and Sawyer Hobbs posted 83. Ashlee Allen added an 87, and Katie Hallmark finished with a 90. Shelton State led by 26 strokes with one round to play (947-973).
The Lady Bucs sealed the deal on Friday with a team score 328. Ashlee Allen led the Lady Bucs in the final round with a 78, followed by Peyton Maraman (80), Katie Hallmark (83), Jordan Ransdell (87), and Sawyer Hobbs (90). Maraman finished the event in fourth place, while Hallmark and Allen tied for 11th. Ransdell took home 13th place, and Sawyer Hobbs finished in 16th.
All five were All-Tournament, and Coach Chris Sanford was the Coach of the Tournament.
“Five of our girls were on the All-Tournament Team and will later be named All-Americans,” Sanford said. “It has truly been a special season! We are super excited to bring home the national championship to Tuscaloosa and Shelton State! Go Bucs!”
Shelton State has been on a roll recently, winning three tournaments in a row in the last six weeks. First, it took home first place at the 2025 Calhoun Women’s Spring Classic from March 31 to April 1. Then, they brought home the ACCC Championship from April 13 to 15. Finally, it was crowned NJCAA South District Tournament Champions from April 30 to May 1. They became NJCAA National Champions last week, from May 13 to 16.
“They have won three straight championships in the last six weeks, playing their best golf,” Sanford said. “Assistant coach David Zauchin is invaluable to me and vital to our success, and I am just ecstatic for the success of these young ladies.”
