DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan sophomore Allison Meyerink successfully defended her conference crown Tuesday, capturing medalist honors at the 2026 Great Plains Athletic Conference women’s golf championship at Dakota Dunes Country Club.
The Mitchell native posted a three-round total of 233 (+14) to win by two strokes, becoming a back-to-back individual champion. Meyerink trailed after the opening round but surged into contention late on Day 1 and took control with a strong second round before holding off the field over the final 18 holes.
Meyerink opened with a 5-over 78 and climbed into a share of the lead by the end of the first day’s 36 holes. She followed with a 3-over 76 — one of the best scores of the second round — to move into sole possession of first place entering the final round. Her closing 6-over 79 was enough to secure the title despite several challengers posting lower scores on the final day.
She finished the tournament with five birdies and 32 pars, limiting mistakes throughout the 54-hole event. Meyerink recorded just two holes worse than bogey, both double bogeys during the final round.
Morningside’s Kamryn Zuniga finished second at 235 (+16), followed by teammate Lucy Brown in third at 237. Doane’s Connie Jarm placed fourth and carded the low round of the tournament with a 1-under 72 on Tuesday.
As a team, Dakota Wesleyan placed ninth with a total of 1,095. Morningside captured the team title at 953, while Doane finished second at 978.
Behind Meyerink, Dakota Wesleyan’s next finisher was Dakotah Larson, who placed 28th at 263 (+44). Sara Sudenga tied for 36th at 284, while Jaida Young and Tessa Bulson rounded out the Tigers’ lineup.
The two-day championship featured 54 holes, with 27 played each day at the par-73 course.