Kate Hildahl has dedicated four years of her life to Oregon golf. Every year, she has improved drastically while also becoming one of the team’s inspirational leaders.
What she hasn’t done, however, is compete in the NCAA championships. Her
teammates are well aware of this and are determined to help Hildahl end her career in style. The journey starts this week at the NCAA Central Regional in Columbus, Ind.
“I just hope we can do this national thing for Kate,” junior Erica Omlid said. “It would just be a good farewell to her. She’s given so much to this program.”
After a galvanizing third place finish at the Pacific-10 Conference Championships two weeks ago, the No. 32 Ducks are well positioned to make a splash at regionals. Only the top eight teams in a 24-team field move on to the NCAA Championships, and the Ducks will have their work cut out for them.
Talk to any member of the team, however, and you will notice nothing but confidence.
“I think Pac-10s showed them that anything is possible,” head coach Ria Quiazon said. “I think, in going into regionals, they know that just because we’re the 11th seed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s our limit.”
Also joining Oregon in the Central Region are No. 2 Arizona State, No. 5 USC, No. 7 Purdue, and No. 10 Michigan State. The Ducks may be just the 11th highest ranked team in the field, but they know they are capable of hanging with the best.
“I think the way the central region looks, it’s probably our best opportunity to make it to nationals,” junior Kendra Little said. “There’s some really good teams at the central regional, but I think that we’re right up there.”
Oregon may have to deal with cross-country travel, but the team should have the comfort of playing on a course fairly similar to those they practice on in the Northwest. As soon as she found out about the draw, Quiazon called officials at Otter Creek Golf Course to get the scoop on the conditions.
“The greens are the same type of grass that we practiced here,” Quiazon said. “So that’s a great thing. From the looks of it, from the pictures we’ve seen online, it looks like a pretty good fit for us this week.”
No matter what the conditions, the Ducks will have to have balance in order to perform well in Indiana. Players like Omlid and freshman Cheyenne Hickle are emphasizing a steady pace throughout the week.
“I feel like it’s just all about consistency,” Omlid said. “If four out of five of us can be anywhere 76 and under, which we’re very capable of doing … I think we’re ready. Actually, I know we’re ready.”
Hickle, meanwhile, returned to Phoenix last weekend to work with her swing coach. With her mechanics tuned up, the freshman is ready to make her presence felt in her first postseason appearance.
“Every time she comes back with her swing coach, she seems refreshed,” Quiazon said. “I think she’ll be ready to go this week.”
After a layoff that lasted nearly two weeks, an eagerness to compete is universal throughout the team. The Ducks know what they are capable of; all that is left is to execute.
“These girls are all hungry,” Quiazon said. “They wanted to compete the day after Pac-10s ended … we’ve just all been anxious for the regional tournament to get started.”
Perform well at regionals, and the ticket to the NCAA championships will be stamped. Until then, the Ducks will consider their business unfinished.

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