Elise Fennell Named MVC Golfer of the Week
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Illinois State freshman Elise Fennell has earned her first collegiate Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Week honor, after earning medalist honors at the 2025 Boilermaker Spring Classic.
Fennell had rounds of 68, 70, and 71 en route to her 209, a stroke better than the previous freshman school record of 210 set by classmate Jessica Jolly at the Clash of Boulder Creek from October 20-22 this fall. She joins Brianna Cooper (2010-11), Samantha Richdale (2002-03), Suzanne Walker (1996-97), Jane Hawkins (1985-86), Karen Schulthes (1980-81), and Pam Tyska (1979-80) as the only freshmen to have earned medalist honors while as a member of the Redbirds.
This season she is averaging 73.1 strokes per round – on pace to be the top mark by an ISU freshman in program history by nearly four strokes better than the freshman season record heading into this season – and the fourth-best single-season stroke average in program history, regardless of class. He has 13 rounds at or under par, nine more than the previous freshman program record, and the fourth-most overall.
The Redbirds return to action on Sunday, April 13 when the team competes in the 2025 MVC Championship hosted at Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo, Illinois.
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Latest Women's Golf News
- Redbirds Run Away with 2025 MVC ChampionshipBehind a MVC Championship-record team score of 874, the Illinois State women's golf team won the 2025 MVC Championship – the team's second straight – by 31 strokes, the fifth-largest margin of victory in MVC Championship history. The team championship is ISU's 16th in the program history, twice as many as the next closest on the list.
- ISU Extends Lead Heading to Final Day at MVC ChampionshipThe Illinois State women's golf team has extended their lead over the field at the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Championship to 20 strokes with 18 holes to play, as the Birds look to be the first school to win back-to-back conference titles since the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
- Redbirds Get Balanced Effort in Strong MVC Opening RoundThe Illinois State women's golf team had its top four players finish the opening 18 holes among the top nine golfers in the field, and the Redbirds take an eight-stroke lead into the second round of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship tomorrow morning.
- The Stage is Set for the Redbirds to Defend Their Title at the MVC ChampionshipThe Illinois State women's golf team will look to defend its MVC title starting on Sunday, April 13, when the squad opens play for the 2025 MVC Championship at Annbriar Golf Course.
- Fennell Earns Medalist as Redbirds Take FourthIllinois State freshman Elise Fennell became just the seventh freshman in program history to earn a tournament medalist honor, as she carded a three-round 209, tied for the second-lowest tournament score in program history, and the lowest-ever by a Redbird freshman.
- Fennell’s Big Opening Day Leads ISU at PurdueISU freshman Elise Fennell had a stellar opening day at the Boilermaker Spring Classic, tying the freshman single-round record to start the day, before coming back with a two-under par second round and leads the field of 96 golfers with 18 holes to play in the tournament.
