2005-2006 News

Jill Franz Named to NAIA All-American 1st Team!

Jill Franz was named to the

NAIA Women's Golf All-American 1st Team on Tuesday this week.Jill led the RMC Lady Eagles to an 18th place team finish in the recent NAIA Championships at Blackthorn G.C. in South Bend, IN this past week. She also placed 18th individually shooting 76-81-79-81 (317). In addition to her performance at Nationals Jill won 4 tournaments during the 2005-2006 season averaging 77.5 in her last 6 rounds to complete a stellar career at RMC.Jill will complete her degree in Business Administration RMC and graduate inFeb 2007.

Lady Eagles Golfers Place 18th in NAIA National Tournament!

South Bend, IN - The Robert Morris Lady Eagles Golf Team in just their 3rd year of existence finished 18th overall at the NAIA Women's Championships at Blackthorn Golf Club in South Bend, IN this past weekend. RMC posted a 4 day total of 322-348-340-337 (1347- ave 336.75)) to average 5 strokes below their season scoring average (342) in the 2006 National Championships. Oklahoma City University defended their title by easily outdistancing the field with a record breaking 1215 (288-306-317-304) performance. British Columbia U. was runnerup at 1249, with Southern Nazerene U. 3rd with 1281 and CSU-San Marcos 4th at 1290.

The Eagles were led by3 time NAIA All-Region 7 Player of the year Jill Franz with rounds of 76-81-79-81 (317-18th). Jill may have played her last round of golf for RMC as a NAIA ruling deemed that Jill has run out of eligibility due to too many semesters/quarters accumulated with the transfer of schools. Also playing her last rounds for RMC by virtue of early graduation was Crystal Nuetzmann with a solid tourney performance of 88-86-85-85 (344, T-77th). Genelle Giblett with rounds of 86-89-89-80 (344, T-77th) also played well for RMC. Lauren Hanzel 83-92-87-93 (355, T-94th) and SandySpaniak 77-104-97-91 (369 - 110th) contributed to the Eagles scoring.

Jill Franz, Crystal Nuetmann, and Genelle Giblett were all named NAIA Academic All-Americans at the opening banquet on Monday. Lauren Hanzel also placed 4th in the NAIA long drive competition that took place in Monday's practice round. The NAIA has yet to announce its All-American selections which should be forthcoming this week.

Congratulations to the Lady Eagles Golfers and their coaching staff on a spectacular season !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#18 RMC Women Golfers Fire record round to win RMC Spring Classic!

All-American Jill Franz wins medalist honors as Lady Eagles hit stride for National Championship Tournament!

Crystal Nuetzmann, Britney Lindgren and Lauren Hanzel also finish in Top 10!

Waukegan, IL- After playingexceptional golf last week in South Bend at the site of the NAIA National Finals, the Robert Morris Women's golf team elevated their game to even a higher level by setting a school record, shooting a324 team score in the cold rain at Bonnie Brook Golf Course in Waukegan on Saturday, April 29.

The #18 ranked Eagles completed the regular season by outdistancing the nine-team field by 11 strokes, defeating such opponents asNCAA Division 2 University of Missouri-St. Louis (335),15 overNAIA #14Bethel (IN)(339), and 25 over #21 Mt. Mercy (IA)(349).

All-American JillFranz (Senior, Waukegan, IL) posted an even par 72 including only 25 putts to win the tournament medalist honors for the second consecutive week. Jill received plenty of support again with Crystal Nuetzmann(Junior, Waukegan, IL) shooting 83, while hitting ten fairways and taking only 31 putts to complete her round and placing fifth overall. She was followed by Lauren Hanzel(Junior, Waukegan, IL) at 84 (8th place medal) and Britney Lindgren (Sophomore, Byron, IL) 85 (10th place medal). Genelle Giblett (Junior, Saskatchewan, Canada) 86 (11th place), Sandy Spaniak (Sophomore, Gages Lake, IL) 91and Danielle Nielsen (Junior, Antioch, IL) 96 also played well for the Eagles.The Lady EagleGolfers--who won the NAIA Region VII championship during fall play--will spend the next three weeks preparing for the NAIA National Finals at Blackthorn Golf Course in South Bend, IN, onMay 23-26.

                                                                                                                               

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Lady Eagles-Franz Soar at Bethel/St. Mary's BigTime Challenge
The NAIA's #19th ranked RMC Women's Golf Team played perhaps their finest golf of the 2005-2006campaign Weds at Blackthorn G.C. South Bend, IN(Site of the NAIA National Finals May 23-26)by posting a 334 score in the 8 team field only to get nudged out of 1st place by one of the co-host schools Bethel College330 (#14 NAIA). RMC's Jill Franz posted the only score of the day below 80 on the long and treacherous Blackthorn layout with a 4 over par 76 to earn Tournament Medalist Honors. In 4 rounds at Blackthorn the previous year during the NAIA Nationals, Jill's best effort was an 81. Her steady round included 13/18 greens hit in regulation and placing drives in 10/14 fairways. Lauren Hanzel (T-6th) played extremely well in her debut at Blackthorn with an 84. Lauren was followed with a solid performance of 86 by Genelle Giblett (95 was Genelle's low score at 2005 NAIA Nationals for Dickinson St.), and Sandy Spank with  an 88 in her first look at Blackthorn. Crystal Nuetzmann (91) and Britney Lindgren (97) also competed well for  RMC. The Lady Eagles are off until April 29th when they host the regular season finale at Bonnie Brook G. C.in Waukegan at 11A.M. which will include #14 Bethel, #19 RMC, #21 Mount Mercy, #27 St. Francis (IL), #25D-3 Carthage, and #25 D-2 Lewis U.RMC will then have an additional 3 weeks off to prepare for their return engagement to Blackthorn G.C.in the NAIA National Finals May 23-26.

Eagles Battle the Freeze at IWU Spring Fling
RMC Women Golfers opened up the 2 day IWU Spring Fling playing in 20-25 degree wind chill temperature and 25-30 mph Winds for most of the opening day of the tourney this past weekend in Bloomington - Normal, IL. Sunday's completionrounds were played in much more"golf-like" conditions despite a late start due to frost. Depauw U.(#3 NCAA D-3) won the tourney easily with a 322-312 (634) total. William Woods(#12 NAIA) took the 2nd place trophy with a 337-323 (660) total. RMC (#19 NAIA) finished 8th out of 18 teams with a 351-348(699) total placing well ahead of other NAIA ranked teams St.Francis733 and St. Ambrose 736. All seven the teams placing ahead of RMC are ranked top 12 either NAIA or NCAA D-3. Jill Franz paced the Eagles with an 83-80 (163) good for a 10th place medal. Both Lauren Hanzel88-89 (177) and Sandy Spaniak 90-89 (179) played very consistent rounds of golf over the weekend. Genelle Giblett 90-92 (182) and Crystal Nuetzmann 96-90 (186) also contributed to the scoring. The Lady Eagles will travel to South Bend next Weds after Easter Break to compete in the Bethel College - St. Mary's College Invitational at the site of the NAIA National Finals(Blackthorn G.C.)

RMC Women Golfers Return to Form at St. Francis
After struggling in their opening spring tourney in Florida against the nation's top NCAA D-2 programs, the Lady Eagle Golfers came out of hibernation to place 3rd at the weather shortened 1 day event hosted by St. Francis at Broken ArrowG.C. this past weekend. Loyola U. (NCAA D-1) won the tournament with a 319 total followed by D-2 Lewis (336), RMC (341 - fall season average), NAIA powers St. Ambrose 4th (348) and St. FrancisT- 5th (356), IL College T- 5th (356),Millikin 7th (372), Monmouth 8th (408), and North Central (435). RMC was led by Jill Franz with an 82 (T-3rd) and Lauren Hanzel85 (16th). Both Crystal Nuetzmann and Sandy Spaniak contributed with87's (T-19th). Also playing well for RMC were Genelle Giblett (88) and Britney Lindgren (91). TheLady Eagle Golfers will next travel to IWU this weekend to compete with many of the top D-3 and NAIAmidwest teams.

Lady Eagles Open Against Nation's Best NCAA D-2's
After a long and cold winter/spring, the NAIA's 18th ranked RMC Women's Golf Team headed to Ft.Lauderdale, Florida to open up its spring golf season at the Nova Southeastern U. Spring Classic. Five of the top 10 D-2 teams(Lynn U, WestFlorida U, Nova Southeastern U., Florida Gulf Coast U., Barry U.)in the nation were present as well as the #2 Junior College team(Daytona Beach CC) and the #14 NAIA team(Northwood U.- FL). #3 Lynn U.outdistanced the field by 15 shots with a 2 day total of 307-307(614) over the par 72 6037 yds. Woodmont CC(The Pines). RMC struggled with having only very limited practice time outside due to the cold/inclement spring weather in the north. The Eagles who are bound for the NAIA National FinalsinSouth Bend in late May via the NAIA Region 7 Championship in the fall shot 372-374(746) on the long(NAIA length -5800 yds) and tight hazard filled layout. Genelle Giblett led the Eagles with 95-89(184) followed byJill Franz 90-95(185) and Sandy Spaniak 94-91(185),Lauren Hanzel 93-99(192), and Crystal Nuetzmann 95-101(196). The Eagles will next compete in the St. Francis Invitational(Joliet) this Sat/Sun.

Eagles Win NAIA Region 7 Regional & Advance to National Finals!!!!!!!!!
The Lady Eagles Golf Team in their 3rd year of existence captured the NAIA Region 7 Regionals at Bonnie Brook G. C. on Sun/Mon with the lowest team total shot by anRMC Women's Golf Team 338-325 (663) in history. After starting the last round at dead even with Mt. Mercy, RMCmanaged to finish21 strokes ahead of Mt. Mercy and 22 strokes ahead of perennial power St. Ambrose to win this 8 team event and gain an automatic berth into the NAIA National Finals in South Bend, IN(Blackthorn G.C.) the week of May 23-26. The Lady Eagles were led by 3 time medalist and Region 7 Player of the Year Jill Franz with rounds of 81-71(1 under par) for a 2 day total of 152. The 71 was Jill's lowest competitive round of golf at the collegiate level. Jill came from 5 strokes back to start the day to outdistance Mt. Mercy's Laura Salmon 76-82 (158) by 6 shots. Genelle Giblett shot 79 on day 2 to go with her 85 day 1(164) and take the 4th spot for NAIA All Region Honors. Also playing well for the Eagles were Lauren Hanzel 86-88 (174) T-9th, Crystal Nuetzmann 89-87 (176) and Sandy Spaniak 86-90 (176) both T-14th. All the Lady Golfers played with a lot of poise and determination to achieve their feat. RMC will be off until February practices begin. Great job Ladies!!!!!!!!!

Lady Eagles Finish 2nd in IMI Conference
RMC Women's Golf placed 2nd behind host Bethel College with a 342-341 (683) total in South Bend this past weekend. The host school shot 330-327 (657) to win the 7 team IL/MI/IN Conference. Robert Morris was led by Jill Franz with rounds of 78-76 (154) to place 2nd behind Bethel's Shanna Page 75-76 (151) and earn All Conference Honors. Joining Jill with All Conference Honors was Sandy Spaniak finishing 3rd with 83-82 (165). Other scores for RMC included Genelle Giblett 88-91 (179), Crystal Nuetzmann 93-94 (187), Lauren Hanzel 94-94 (188), Danielle Nielsen 97-89 (186) and Britney Lindgren 100 -91 (191). The Lady Eagles will next host the NAIA Region 7 Regionals at Bonnie Brook G.C. Sun/Mon Oct 9-10.

RMC Places 4th/6th at Carthage/Whitewater
The Lady Eagles competed with the 3 of the top D-3 teams in the Nation this weekend in the Wisconsin swing of the fall season. RMC placed 4th (351) on an extremely windy (30 mph) day at the long Brightendale Links G. C. UW Oshkosh won the event with a 326 total followed by UW Eau-Claire (339), and IL Wesleyan (340). Jill Franz (82) tied for 5th in leading the Eagles, followed by Lauren Hanzel (87), Crystal Nuetzmann (90), and Genelle Giblett (91). The Lady Eagles placed 6th after a 2 day tournament at UW Whitewater(Prairie Woods G.C.) shooting 346-347 (691). IL Wesleyan won with a 322-320 (642), followed by UW Oshkosh 316-336 (652), and UW Eau-Claire 338-326 (664). Jill Franz led the Eagles with a 77-89 (166), followed by Crystal Nuetzmann 90-80 (170), Genelle Giblett 87-89 (176), Lauren Hanzel 92-87 (179), and Britney Lindgren 92-93 (185). Sunday's round was played in several monsoon like downpours equating to an 8 hour round. The Lady Eagles will travel to South Bend(Bethel College) for IMI Conference Tournament.

Lady Eagles Place 2nd/3rd at Elmhurst/St. Francis
RMC Lady Eagles had a subpar performance Weds at the Elmhurst Invitational(354) finishing 2nd to D-2 Lewis University (339) at Oakbrook Golf Course(par 72). Wheaton College(355) and Monmouth(409) rounded out the field of full teams. Jill Franz(4th place) 86 was low for the Eagles followed by Genelle Giblett(6th place) 87, Crystal Nuetzmann 90, and Lauren Hanzel 91.

RMC rebounded on Fri at the St. Francis Invitational at Broken Arrow(par 72) finishing 3rd in a very strong field with a 341 total(Their lowest total at Broken Arrow in 6 tourneys played there.) Once again D-2 Lewis U. was the team champion with an outstanding 329 score. They were followed by top ranked NAIA school Bethel College with 334. Rounding out the field were UM St. Louis(4th) 344, John Logan(5th) 344, St. Francis-IL(6th) 356, St. Francis-Indiana(7th) 384, and Iowa Wesleyan(8th) 408. Jill Franz paced the Eagles with a 79(2nd place) losing on the 2nd hole of a 3-way playoff to Hannah Jonlcins(John Logan) for medalist. Hannah converted a 15ft. birdie putt to Jill's miraculous par from a fairway bunker 160yds out. Jill's 2nd shot reached the double green, but had to chip over the bunker in the middle of the green to within 1 ft. to convert a par. Genelle Giblett(9th) shot 84, followed by Crystal Nuetzmann 89, and Danielle Nielsen 89. The Lady Eagles will travel to Wisconsin this weekend to compete in the Carthage and UW Whitewater Tourneys.

RMC Places 3rd at Knox and Monmouth
The Lady Eagles Golf Team played very solid over the weekend with a 3rd place finish in both the Knox and Monmouth Tourneys. RMC shot 337 on Fri to finish behind one of the top 5/6 D3 teams in the nation (IWU) -326. Jill Franz was tourney medalist with a 1 over par 75 at the Soangetaha CC in Galesburg. Also playing well were Genelle Giblett(85-15th place) and Lauren Hanzel(86-19th place). Crystal Nuetzmann rounded out the scoring at 91. On Sat Genelle Giblett led the Eagles with a 6 over par 81 at the Monmouth Invite(Gibson Woods) including an eagle 2 at the par 4 18th hole. Jill Franz(84) took 10th place medal and Crystal Nuetzmann also played well with an 85(12th) place. Both Lauren Hanzel and Britney Lindgren posted 94's. The Lady Eagles will travel to Elmhurst(Oakbrook GC) on Weds and to St. Francis(Broken Arrow GC) on Fri.

Lady Eagles Win IL College Tourney!
In their 1st appearance in the IL College Lady Blue Invitational, the RMC Lady Eagles posted a 334 team score to nip Millikin(336) by 2 shots. RMC was led by Jill Franz(80) 4th place, Lauren Hanzel(82) 5th place, Genelle Giblett(85) 9th place, and Crystal Nuetzmann(87) 11th place. The Eagles will next travel to Knox College on Friday and to Monmouth College on Sat.

RMC Opens Season With Strong Performance
RMC Women's Golf Team finished 2nd in its home opener to Bethel College(IN) with a school record low 332 to Bethel's 328. IL College and St. Francis tied for 3rd in this 10 team event. Jill Franz led the Eagles with an 81(2nd) place on the par 74 Foss Park Golf Course layout. Jill was followed by Lauren Hanzel(9th) 83, Genelle Giblett(T 11th) 84 and Danielle Nielsen(T 11th) 84). The Lady Eagles will travel to IL College on Tues for their next competition.

Lady Eagles Begin Fall Practices
RMC Women's Golf will begin practices on Aug 15 at Foss Park Golf Course at 9 AM. Practices will run from 9 AM to 2 PM Mon through Weds the 1st 2 weeks of practice. Thurs will run from 10 AM to 3 PM the 1st 2 weeks and Fri's will be on the road playing practice rounds in the mornings.