Iacobelli Becomes Florida Techs First Individual National Champion

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Sophomore Daniela Iacobelli kept her eye on the big prize and grabbed the goal with the most consistent scoring for the 72-hole course,
four-round tournament as she became the 2007 NCAA Division II National Women’s Golf Champion at the medalist spot.
Iacobelli became the first golfer participating as an individual to earn medalist honors. After starting the day tied for first place, Iacobelli eagled the
par five 10th hole and followed with a birdie on the par three 12th en route to the title. She finished the tournament with a five-over 293
(72-74-73-74).
“It was very challenging because it was just me without the support of my teammates,” said Iacobelli. “After my round, I was pacing the clubhouse and
preparing for a possible playoff by practicing on the putting green. The course was nice, but it was hard when it was hot. The greens were tricky and the
pin placement was difficult.”
Despite her incredible season play and topping the conference tourney, Iacobelli has proven being snubbed by the SSC voters for this season’s All
Conference Team has not effective her play. She has definitely earned her spot to play with the best in the country.
One of the best moments of her four day play cam today when for the second day straight Iacobelli eagled the 10th hole after an on credible drive that
landed uphill from the green and she chipped it in for the second straight day. She played two of the four eagles of the 2007 NCAA National
Championships.
Iacobelli, a sophomore Business Administration major, earlier last month won the 2007 SSC Women’s Golf Championship Medalist Honors after a play-off at
their home course of the Duran Golf Club in Viera, Florida. She (80-73-73=226) won a four-hole playoff over Nova Southeastern Maria Garcia-Austt
(81-70-75=226) to claim women’s medalist accolades. She was Tech’s first ever women’s golfer to make the all-tournament team as well.
She is a two-year member of the four year old program as well as the 2006 SSC Women’s Freshman Golfer of the Year as a local standout golfer from Satellite
Beach High School. Iacobelli strived under the play-off pressure after grabbing par on the 10 thru 13 holes to overcome Austt in the final hole with a 2
putt finish to her competitor’s three putt finish.
Daniela’s career low round is 71 and has won two collegiate tournaments in her short career. She is currently ranked #1 in the Nation by GolfStat for par 5
scoring with a 4.91 as well as subpar strokes per round at 2.88.
“I knew she could do it…she is a special gal with a special talent….I have been privileged to be part of her success,” said Panther’s Head Coach Janie
Farina. “This is a big milestone in my life to see Daniela earn the highest honors any collegiate golfer can win especially coming into the tournament as a
long shot.”
Another individual, Maria Garcia Austt of Nova Southeastern finished second with a six-over 294 (71-79-70-74). A pair of Florida Southern golfers earned
the third and fourth positions. Lindsey Bergeon finished at seven-over 295 (72-74-74-75), while teammate Heather Burgner carded an eight-over 296
(75-72-74-75). Drury’s Tonya Choate, who started the final round tied for the lead, rounded out the top five with a nine-over 297 (76-72-71-78).
“This was our ultimate goal, and it has been a long time coming,” said Bergeon. “We all picked up each other up when we needed to. The goal was to win as a
team. I would trade in an individual title for a team title any day.”
For the fourth time since 2000, Florida Southern has claimed the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championship. Top-ranked Florida Southern completed
their victory after Saturday’s final round at Stonebrook Golf Club.
After not qualifying as a team at last year’s national championships, Florida Southern claimed their 26th national championship in school history. The win
also ended Rollins streak of four consecutive national championships.
Despite shooting over 300 for the first time on Saturday, Florida Southern finished with a 36-over 1,188. Second-ranked Rollins made a late push in the
final round, shaving five strokes off of the Florida Southern lead. The Tars finished second with a 46-over 1,198. Sixth-ranked Ferris State completed the
tournament in third place with a 76-over 1,228.
Rounding out the field was Drury (+85 1,237) in fourth place. Thirteenth-ranked Tarleton State (+100 1,252) placed fifth, while 27th ranked North Dakota
(+103 1,255) earned a sixth place finish. Fourteenth-ranked Northeastern State (+124 1,276) ended the tournament in seventh place, and 42nd ranked Truman
State (+143 1,295) was in eighth place.
For all the final results and statistics of the 2007 NCAA DII Women’s National Championships click here: http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/index.cfm?tournament_id=969.