CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State Women's Golf will begin its season on Sept. 8-9 at Page Belcher Golf Course, featuring the 18-hole Stone Creek course, for the NSU Women's Classic. The opening round will begin at 8:00 a.m.
 
"It is very exciting to get started," first-year head coach Lexi Johnson commented on starting the season at the NSU Women's Classic. "I am excited to see my old college coach and to see a lot of the people that I played with in the MIAA. Having this as our first tournament is great for me; it is one that I've played in as well. I am excited to take the girls there and let them experience that as well."
 
PRESEASON REPORT
The women's golf team returned to on-campus training in late August. When asked about the preseason, Johnson commented, "So far, it has been. The girls are excited to be here and have really liked what we have done so far."
 
THE JOHNSON ERA BEGINS
Johnson became the head coach of the women's golf program in May 2025.
 
Before her appointment at the Hill, Johnson enjoyed a successful four-year tenure as the Head Golf Coach at Owasso High School. Under her leadership, the Rams consistently ranked among the top six teams in the state, achieving an impressive fourth-place finish. Her teams secured over 15 top-three finishes and celebrated two tournament victories during her time there. Notably, Johnson coached a player to All-State honors in 2022 and witnessed four athletes commit to playing at the collegiate level. In addition to their athletic success, her teams excelled academically, earning the 2022 Academic State Championship title.
 
Johnson brings a familiarity with the MIAA, having started her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northeastern State for two years after an accomplished student-athlete career in Tahlequah. As team captain, she earned multiple All-MIAA selections and led NSU to four consecutive MIAA titles, 13 team victories, and an appearance at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Johnson finished fifth at the 2018 MIAA Championships and later ranked ninth at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships.
 
She succeeds the legendary head coach Whitney Hocutt, who has garnered recognition from her peers with two MIAA Coach of the Year Awards and the 2022 WGCA Central Region Coach of the Year Award. Hocutt's coaching accolades also include mentoring two All-Americans, eight All-Region selections and 15 all-conference honorees.
 
SCHEDULE PREVIEW
After the season opener, RSU will travel to Denton, Texas, to participate in the DBU Classic from September 21 to 23 at Oakmont Country Club. Last year, the team secured seventh place in Texas, with Lauren Anderson leading the way, finishing 14th with a score of 217 (+1).
 
The Hillcats will then head north to Missouri for the Midwest Classic on October 13-14 at Mules National Golf Course in Warrensburg, followed by the Regional Preview on October 20-21 at St. Joseph Country Club.
 
The fall season will wrap up with the Tulsa Cup on October 27-28 at The Club at Forest Ridge. Last season, RSU took first place in this tournament with a score of 913 (+49), and Sitorus clinched another individual title with a score of 218 (+2).
 
The spring season will kick off in Cypress, Texas, at the Southern Invite on February 16-17. In the previous spring, the Hillcats finished tied for third in a weather-shortened event, closing with a score of 593 (+25).
 
On March 9-10, RSU will compete at Bailey Ranch Golf Course in Owasso for the 11th Annual Hillcat Classic, aiming for its sixth consecutive victory at this tournament, having won last year with a score of 589 (+21).
 
The following week, the Hillcats will travel west to Carmel, California, for The Patriot Invitational. They will conclude the regular season by co-hosting the Spring Regional Preview with Central Missouri from April 5-7 at Shangri-La Golf Club and Resort in Monkey Island, Oklahoma.
 
Postseason action will begin on April 20-22 at Mules National Golf Course in Warrensburg, Missouri, for the MIAA Championships. The NCAA Central Region Championships are scheduled for May 4-6 at St. Joseph Country Club, followed by the NCAA National Championships from May 12-16 at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
During the 2024-25 season, the Hillcats achieved a ranking as high as No. 18 in the nation and second in the Central Region Rankings. However, fifth-place finishes at both the conference and regional championships prevented them from making a consecutive appearance in the NCAA National Championship Tournament.
 
"I feel like the competition has been getting tougher through the years," Johnson said about the MIAA. "We are definitely a contender to compete for the MIAA Championship."
 
Central Missouri, which won the league and was the national runner-up, will be a heavy favorite heading into the year. Northwest Missouri finished second in the conference tournament, while Arkansas-Fort Smith and Central Oklahoma followed in third and fourth.

MEET THE TEAM: RETURNERS
The Hillcats will welcome back a total of six returners, including three All-MIAA selections.
 
"The returners have been great," Johnson remarked on the returners adjusting to the coaching change and season preparation. "Anything that I have asked them to do or that I have wanted to try so far, they are all about it. They are really open with communication, and we have been working together to start building that player-coach relationship that will be beneficial for the team's success at practice."
 
Brianna Maddux is the only senior on the roster. Last season, the Owasso native achieved a third-place finish at the NSU Women's Classic (-3) and at the Hillcat Classic (+5), contributing to the team's victories at both tournaments. She was later named All-MIAA Third Team.
 
Lauren Anderson returns to the Hill for her junior year. The Tontitown, Arkansas, native was named All-MIAA Third Team. She collected five top-25 finishes, including a season-high 11^th at the Spring Kickoff Intercollegiate (+9).
 
Milena Andres will look to build on an impressive freshman campaign from last season, where she collected All-MIAA Third Team honors. The Villa Allende, Argentina, native collected a season-high fifth-place finish at the Hillcat Classic (+6) and was 11^th at the NCAA Central Region Championship.
 
Junior Rylan Ashley will look to make an impact in her third season on the Hill. The Midwest City native competed in three tournaments, with a season-best finish of 38^th (+29) coming at the Hillcat Classic.
 
Elle Standlee Daniels enters her second season at RSU. The native of Prague played in five tournaments in 2024-25, collecting 38^th place at both the MIAA Fall Conference Preview (+13) and the Hillcat Classic (+29).
 
Sophomore Brooklyn Worley is back to represent the Red and Navy this season. The Conway, Arkansas, native played in three tournaments during her freshman campaign, with a season-best 38^th-place finish coming at the Hillcat Classic.

MEET THE TEAM: NEWCOMERS
Rogers State will have three incoming freshmen on the roster in 2025-26.
 
"The freshmen are getting there; they are adjusting to the culture for sure," Johnson commented on the three international freshmen in the early going. "They are learning as we go and seem to fit in really well with the team. From what I have seen at practice, they are really talented too, so I am really excited to see what they do this season."
 
Lara Foigel joins the program from Neuguen, Argentina. She plans to earn a degree in graphic design at RSU.
 
Lou Fourdan is an incoming freshman from Carnac, France. She will pursue a degree in political science at RSU.
 
Clara Ledun comes to Claremore from La Salvetat Saint-Gilles, France. She attended LEGTPA Albi and was a two-time French Golf Champion. Fourdan plans to earn a degree in business at RSU.
 
FINAL WORDS FROM COACH JOHNSON
"I am excited to be here and to see what these ladies are going to do, and I know it is going to be a great season for the Lady Hillcats," Johnson concluded.