Gigi Zera at CCIW Championships Day 1 2025

Kodiak Creative

Women’s Golf One Back at SMSU Classic After Opening Round

Zera sits atop the individual leaderboard

3/16/2026 7:43:00 PM

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's golf team is just one shot back of Nebraska Kearney after the opening round of the Southwest Minnesota State University Classic, hosted at the 5,631-yard, par-70 Wigwam Resort Golf Course in Litchfield Park, Arizona. The Titans recorded a round-one score of 299.

Sophomore Gigi Zera (Glenview, Ill.-Loyola Academy) shot a career-best in her first round, carding an even-par, 70. Zera sits in the lead and is eyeing her first individual win of her young career.

Sophomore Grace Fagan (Kirkwood, Mo.-Visitation Academy) also sits in the top-10 individually, as her opening round five-over par 75 places her sixth. Freshman Julia Henry (Homewood, Ill.-Homewood-Flossmoor) carded a six-over-par 76, good for 10th.

Nebraska Kearney leads the team standings following a first-round score of 298. Just seven shots separate the top-three teams, as Minnesota State sits third after an opening round 305.

The Titans and Zera look to bring home titles tomorrow, March 17, to close out the SMSU Classic. Tee times from Wigwam Resort are set to begin at 12 p.m.

IWU Individual Standings
*indicates playing as an individual
1. Gigi Zera 70

T6. Grace Fagan 75
T10. Julia Henry 76
T18. Emily Gastrau 78
T21. Nora Cerroni 81
T21. Brooke Erhard* 81

Team Standings

1. Nebraska Kearney 298

2. Illinois Wesleyan 299

3. Minnesota St. 305

4. Westmont 310

5. Southwest Oklahoma St. 317
6. Mary (ND) 324
7. Black Hills St. 327
8. Fort Hays St. 329
9. Nebraska Kearney-B 330
10. Southwest Minnesota St. 336
11. UW-La Crosse 345
12. UW-La Crosse-B 355

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