WGCA Awards Released | Guarnieri Named Coach of the Year

Dominic Guarnieri has been tabbed as the NCAA Division II Jackie Steinmann Women's Golf Coaches Association National Coach of the Year Presented by Golf Pride.

Guarnieri led the Oilers to the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship last week at the Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville, Ga. The Oilers narrowly made the medal match play portion of the event as they finished eighth in stroke play before taking down three nationally ranked opponents to win the title. They defeated top-ranked Dallas Baptist University in the quarterfinals, beat fifth-ranked Barry University in the semifinals, and clinched the title with a win over third-ranked Limestone University.

Guarnieri, who was also voted the East Region Coach of the Year after winning the regional title, led his squad to an undefeated spring season in which they won all eight events they participated in. In seven of those eight wins, the Oilers had an individual win medalist honors as well.

In addition, the Oilers had three student-athletes earn accolades from the WGCA for their performance on the course this season. Senior Kristina Kniesly was named a first team all-American and all-East Region, senior Jill Schmitmeyer was voted second team all-American and all-region, and freshman Mary Kelly Mulcahy was tabbed honorable mention all-American and all-East Region.

Kniesly, who earned all-American honors during the 2019-20 campaign as well, finished in a tie for 14th at the national championship last week. This spring, Kniesly won medalist honors at three different tournaments and finished the year ranked ninth in the country with a 73.77 scoring average.

Schmitmeyer ended the NCAA Division II East Regional in a tie for first with Mulcahy before losing to the freshman in a playoff. She also scored seven, top-five finishes and her scoring average of 74.56 ranked 37th in the nation.

Mulcahy as mentioned above won the East Regional this season, one of two wins for her during her first year with the program. Her scoring average of 75.29 ranked 61st in the country.