RAPID CITY, S.D. - The Marian University women's golf team completed its first-ever trip to the national tournament as a team with a 14th-place finish at the 2010 NAIA Women's Golf National Championships at Meadowbrook Municipal Golf Course in Rapid City, S.D., on Friday.

The Knights had a difficult day as a team as they matched their opening round total of 328, which kept them 14 shots back of the top 10. The University of British Columbia pulled away after seizing the lead on the third day to earn the national championship.

The story of the day for the Knights was the push made by a senior in her final collegiate round of golf as she looked for a national championship. Senior Angela Gauck moved into the top 10 in eighth place after 54 holes and was forced to shoot a low score on the final day to contend. She responded.

Gauck tied her all-time low 72-hole score with a one-over-par 73 on Friday. However, it was not quite enough as she needed help from the leaders and did not receive it as she finished four shots off the leader, but got three shots back on the final day.

She finished the tournament with a career-low and school record-tying 305 (76-79-77-73), which she set in 2007 with a third-place finish. The fourth-place finish is the second-best in her career as she has earned third-, fourth-, sixth- and ninth-place finishes at the national tournament.

Junior Lauren Nickoson had the bet finish of her career after she finished in 45th place. She carded an 87 on the final day to post a 72-hole score of 323 (78-79-79-87), but struggled on the final day of competition.

Sophomore Kailey Jacob finished 72nd in the nation after she carded an 85 on the final day and a 334 (87-80-82-85) for the tournament. Freshman Leah Miller had her best round of the tournament as she carded an 85 on the final day to earn a tie for 87th in the country with a 345 (87-86-87-85).

Senior Kristen Welker closed out her Marian University career with her best round at the championships. She carded an 85 on the final day after shooting 89 on each of the first three days. She finished in 98th position with a 352 (89-89-89-85).

The trip to the 2010 NAIA Women's Golf National Championships was the first for the six-year old program.

It was also a record-setting year that was full of firsts for the Knights as they set team records for 54 holes and 72 holes, while Gauck tied her 72-hole record with a 305. The Knights won their first tournament as a team (Hanover Invitational in the fall), won the NAIA Unaffiliated Conference championship for the first time in its history, and Gauck was named the UAC Player of the Year, while head coach Brett Cope was named UAC Coach of the Year.

The 2009-10 season can be dubbed the most successful in Marian University history.