Success has been a constant for the women’s golf team this season and it continued this past weekend as the Pioneers finished in fourth place at the NCAA West Regional and will advance to the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history.

DU already made history before even starting play, as the team’s seventh-seed was the highest in regional competition in school history, with the top eight teams advancing to the championships. Advancing was a questionable after two days of competition, when the Pioneers found themselves in seventh place.

Advancing was far from a question for DU after the golfers turned in their best score of the tournament in the final round, a 2-over par 286.

“We all knew we hadn’t played exceptionally well the first two rounds, and they showed up in the last round and I am really impressed,” said Head Coach Sammie Chergo.

Overall for the NCAA West Regional at Snow Canyon Golf Course in St. George, Utah, Denver shot a 299, 306 and 286 for a 39-over par 891, 17 shots back of co-champions Oklahoma State and Stanford.

DU was led by freshman Stephanie Sherlock who shot a final-round 1-over par 72 and finished the weekend with a 1-over par 218 to finish in a tie for 10th place.

The youthful theme continued as sophomore Katie Kempter was right behind Sherlock with a 3-over par 74 in the final round and an overall score of 10-over par 223 for the tournament.

Then the experienced senior Emily Hoeper excelled in the final round as she turned in the best score of the tournament for the Pioneers, a 2-under par 69.

Hoeper finished the tourney in a tie for 28th place and a 54-hole score of 13-over par 226.

The final two scores were turned in by sophomore Dawn Shockley with a 16-over par 229 and sophomore Sara Djos with a 17-over par 230.

“Its exciting to have advanced, its shows how far our program has grown. I am thrilled for our student athletes and the school,” said Chergo.

The Pioneers will compete at the NCAA Championships from May 22-25, at the LPGA International Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Twenty-four teams from the east, central and west regions have advanced, along with six individuals to determine who will be crowned the 2007 NCAA women’s golf champion.

This year was the sixth consecutive season that DU has qualified for the regionals and their best previous finish came in 2004 when they finished in 11th place, just two strokes out of a three-way tie for eighth place.

Also after 10 years at the helm of the DU women’s golf program, Head Coach Sammie Chergo has finally accomplished the ultimate goal.