BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Winona State Women's Golf team was selected third in the 2025 NSIC Women's Golf preseason coaches' poll. Kessa Mara was named Preseason Golfer to Watch for the Warriors.

WSU gathered 113 points in the 2025 NSIC Women's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll, locking them in behind Augustana (122 points) and snuck in front of Sioux Falls (109 points). Minnesota State was selected first in the NSIC with nine first place votes and 131 points. Augustana Lanie Veenendall was selected as the Preseason Golfer of the Year.

Winona State earned three top two finishes in the 2024-25 season, including a fifth-place finish in the NSIC Conference Tournament. Head coach Jeff Straight noted, "The Warriors return 5 players that started last season and all played in the NSIC Championship. With 12 total players on our roster, 6 returning and 6 incoming freshmen. Though we have a very young team we are expecting to compete at a high level. We will have a very competitive environment amongst our own team for playing time and are expecting that competition to support our efforts in tournaments. It's a great day to be a Warrior!"

Mara, a senior from Willmar, Minn., finished last season with a stroke average of 81.3. "Kessa is a three-year starter and the only senior on our roster this season. She has worked extremely hard on her game over the summer and is primed to have a great season. She has a fabulous attitude and can easily keep herself in the present while playing. Kessa is a top performer in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA majoring in chemistry. As the Captain, Kessa will do a great job leading our young Warrior squad." Coach Jeff Straight noted on Mara.

Winona State returns to the links Tuesday, September 2 and Wednesday, September 3, as the Warriors travel to Blue Springs, Mo., for the Central Region Preview at Adams Point Golf Club.