Natalie Ocheltree & Patrick Freeman line up a putt

Women’s Golf Leads CCIW Championship After Day One

IWU sits atop the leaderboard with five-stroke cushion

10/1/2026 4:45:00 PM

METAMORA, Ill. - Battling intermittent rain throughout the day, the No. 18 Illinois Wesleyan University women's golf team carded a 296 to open play at the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championship Thursday, Oct. 1. Four Titans sit inside the top-six individually at the par-71, 5627-yard Metamora Fields Golf Club, while IWU leads the eight-team field by a five-stroke margin.

The Green and White's opening round 296 is its best score to start the league championship since firing a 284 in 2023. Additionally, it is IWU's fourth sub-300 round since the CCIW moved its championship to the neutral site in Metamora.

Freshman Natalie Ocheltree (Normal, Ill.-University High) fired Illinois Wesleyan's top round of the day, a one-over 72, in her conference debut. Ocheltree used two front-nine birdies to sit second in the individual race and one stroke off the leader.

Junior Grace Fagan (Kirkwood, Mo.-Visitation Academy) was just behind the rookie with a two-over 73, highlighted by birdies on the ninth, 11th, and 14th holes. Fagan holds third-place.

Seniors Nora Cerroni (Waukesha, Wis.-Waukesha North) and Emily Gastrau (Wauwatosa, Wis.-Wauwatosa East) also rank inside the top-10 at tied fourth and sixth, respectively. Cerroni turned in a 75 and Gastrau followed with a 76 as both veterans registered three birdies on the day.

Carthage's Ro Longden posted an even-par, opening the day with three straight birdies en route to a 71. She holds a one stroke lead over Ocheltree. The Firebirds follow IWU in the standings after firing a 301. Augustana (319), North Central (322), and Millikin (329) round out the top-five.

The Green and White gets right back to it tomorrow, Oct. 2 for the second round of the tournament. Zera will be the first Titan off the tee at 10:40 a.m. Coverage of the championship can be found on iwusports.com.

IWU Individual Standings
2. Natalie Ocheltree 72
3. Grace Fagan 73
T4. Nora Cerroni 75
T6. Emily Gastrau 76
T18. Merritt Bell 82
T25. Gigi Zera 84

Team Standings
1. Illinois Wesleyan 296
2. Carthage 301
3. Augustana 319
4. North Central 322
5. Millikin 329
6. Carroll 333
7. Wheaton 350
8. Elmhurst 366

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