The No. 18 Iowa State Women's Golf team is making history once again. For the second consecutive year—and the third time in program history—the Cyclonitas have punched their ticket to the NCAA National Championships. This powerhouse squad is proving that last season's breakthrough was no fluke.
Competing as the third seed at the NCAA Louisville Regional, the team delivered a clutch performance, finishing in a tie for fourth place. That strong showing was enough to secure their spot in the national tournament, set for May 22-27 at the prestigious Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California.
This achievement builds on a landmark 2023 season, when the Cyclonitas tied for 22nd place at the championships—the highest finish in program history. Their consistency on the regional stage has been nothing short of impressive. Over 54 holes in Louisville, they posted a score of 855, the lowest 54-hole NCAA score in school history, narrowly beating the previous record of 860 set in 2023. This fourth-place regional finish also ranks as the second-best in program history, trailing only the third-place result they achieved at the NCAA Lubbock Regional a year ago.
Individual brilliance was a key ingredient in Louisville. Sophomore Nichakorn Pinprayoon tied for 13th place overall, with a three-round total of 214. That score is the fourth-best NCAA performance in school history and ties for the 10th-highest finish ever by a Cyclone in a regional event. Her steady play under pressure was a major factor in the team's success.
The team's veteran leadership also shone brightly. Seniors Pammy Chookaew and Karisa Chul-Ak-Sorn both fired rounds of 72 in the final round, finishing in a tie for 20th place with matching totals of 215. For both seniors, that score set a personal best across their four career appearances at NCAA Regionals and now stands as the sixth-best NCAA score in program history. Chul-Ak-Sorn was particularly dominant on the long holes, leading the entire field with a remarkable scoring average of 4.33 strokes on par 5s. Rounding out the lineup, Isabella Yan and Alexandra Vidal also contributed solid rounds, showing the depth that makes this team a threat on the national stage.
With momentum on their side and a history-making season behind them, the Cyclonitas are ready to make some noise in California. Whether you're a fan of the team or just love watching elite women's golf, this is a squad worth following every step of the way.