By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
PUEBLO, Colo. – For the second consecutive season Lauren Lee is heading to nationals.
A year after catching fire on the links in Amarillo, Texas to earn a trip to the NCAA National Championship, the senior battled through a grueling 54 holes of golf at the 2026 NCAA West Regional Championship at Pueblo Country Club to earn one of two individual qualifying spots for nationals. Lee finished in 8th place in the 96-player field at 15-over-par 228 (80-72-76).
The top two finishers in the stroke play event not on one of the five qualifying teams qualified to play as an individual at nationals. Lee and Annika Yturralde of Point Loma (3rd place) will play at the NCAA Division II National Championship May 12-14 at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Lee tied for 4th place at nationals in 2025 in Boulder City, Nevada to earn honorable mention All-America honors.
"An amazing achievement for an amazing person. Nobody deserves this more than Lauren," said WWU Director of Golf
Luke Bennett. "There were a lot of ups and down while battling a tough course and a lot of weather conditions, but Lauren remained calm, trusted her game and had a huge birdie on her second-to-last hole to clinch her spot for nationals. I couldn't be more thrilled for her to get to end her great collegiate career on the national stage."
The West Regional Championship was scheduled to be a three-day event, but developing bad weather in the Pueblo area pushed the event to two days with 36 holes played on Monday. Also competing from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference were the Simon Fraser women's team and Montana State Billings individual Orraya Tipasathien, who finished in 92nd place with a score of 262 (84-88-90). The Red Leafs wrapped up their season 10th among a field of 18 teams, posting a three-round score of 947 (316-318-313). Senior Meera Minhas was the squad's top finisher, tying for 24th place with a three-round total of 233 (77-79-77).
The 8th-place finish marked Lee's sixth top 10 finish in 10 tournaments in 2025-26, a senior season that has been highlighted by earning GNAC Player of the Year honors and a return trip to nationals.
Cal State San Marcos (+55, 907), Dallas Baptist (+62, 914), host Colorado State-Pueblo (+64, 916), St. Mary's (+71, 923) and UT Tyler (+77, 929) all qualified teams for the national championship next week in Florida.
The Vikings just missed a spot in the 18-team regional field after having a solid regular season and placing third at the GNAC Championships.