SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah — Utah Valley fired a final-round 1-under-par 287 to rally past Wyoming and capture the 2026 Wolverine Invitational championship on Tuesday at TalonsCove Golf Club. The Wolverines finished the 54-hole tournament at 11-over-par 875 (290-298-287) to claim the fifth team title in program history and their first-ever Wolverine Invitational championship.
Utah Valley entered Tuesday's final round six shots behind Wyoming before making up eight strokes to win the title by two shots. The Wolverines (+11) finished atop the 10-team field, ahead of Wyoming (+13), while Southern Utah placed third at 14-over-par. Weber State (+20) was fourth and Idaho State (+25) rounded out the top five.
The championship is the fifth team title in Utah Valley women's golf history and the third in a 54-hole event. It is also the Wolverines' second team championship under head coach Juli Erekson and their first since winning the Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational in February 2024. UVU's previous team titles came at the 2012 Bobcat Invitational, twice at the 2014 Wildcat Invitational, and at the 2024 Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational.
"I love these ladies. This team is special," Erekson said. "They fought so hard this week and especially today with everything they had. I'm so proud of the effort they give day in and day out. Everyone had a job and they each were clutch. Everyone mattered. To the last shot. I'm grateful to be coaching such incredible women."
Sydney Richards led the Wolverines individually, carding an even-par 72 in the final round to finish sixth on the 66-player leaderboard at even-par 216 (71-73-72). Richards eagled the 515-yard par-5 ninth hole and added three birdies during Tuesday's final round.
Mia Pace shot a final-round 1-over-par 73 to finish tied for seventh at 1-over-par 217 (71-73-73). Pace recorded three birdies in the final round.
Adley Nelson turned in Utah Valley's best round of the day, firing a 2-under-par 70 to move up five spots on the leaderboard and finish tied for ninth at 3-over-par 219 (72-77-70). Nelson recorded three birdies and 14 pars during her final round.
Maria Ortiz carded a final-round 3-over-par 75 to finish tied for 30th at 10-over-par 226 (76-75-75).
Rachel Lillywhite shot an even-par 72 in the final round to finish tied for 34th at 11-over-par 227 (77-78-72). Lillywhite recorded three birdies on Tuesday, all on the back nine.
The Wolverines also had four players compete as individuals. Kaylee Westfall shot a final-round 5-over-par 77 to finish tied for 37th at 12-over-par 228 (79-72-77). Saydie Wagner carded a 10-over-par 82 to finish 59th at 23-over-par 239 (79-78-82). Whitni Johnson shot an 11-over-par 83 to finish 62nd at 27-over-par 243 (75-85-83), while Eliza Zolman carded a final-round 14-over-par 86 to finish 65th at 43-over-par 259 (89-84-86).
Southern Utah's Saylar May earned individual medalist honors, finishing the tournament at 8-under-par 208 (68-68-72).
Utah Valley will return to action Sept. 21-22 at the Kalispel Invitational at Kalispel Country Club in Spokane, Washington. The Wolverines will play the first two rounds on Monday, Sept. 21, before wrapping up the tournament with the final round on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
