Photo courtesy of Iowa Central Athletics: The Iowa Central women took third place at the NJCAA Div. II national golf meet, with Ivanna Becerra-Diaz securing the individual championship. Pictured here are (left to right) head coach Kris Graewin, Jenna Kramer, Becerra-Diaz, Brooklyn Backoff, Olivia Eckert and assistant Grayson Blunt.

BOONE — Ivanna Becerra-Diaz not only made Iowa Central women’s golf history here Friday, she made NJCAA history.

Becerra-Diaz became the first-ever NJCAA Div. II individual women’s golf national champion, scoring the title in a tiebreaker over Kamryn Johnston of Mott.

Overall, the Tritons placed third behind Shelton State and Mesa. The Top-3 finish marks the highest at nationals for an Iowa Central golf team ever.

“Wow…that sums it up,” ICCC head coach Kris Graewin said. “Could not be more proud of our team and Ivanna. Iowa Central’s first golf national champion, and it couldn’t be a better person.

“From day one, we talked about being an All-American. Halfway through the year, that talk changed to national champion.”

Becerra-Diaz, who took control of the leaderboard following a round of 1-over on Wednesday, finished tied at 21-over par for the four-round event. She was tied with Johnson after 72 holes of play. She scored the championship by capturing the playoff on the 73rd hole.

Over the final 18 holes of regulation, Becerra-Diaz carded one birdie with 11 pars. She had six birdies during the week, knocking six shots off her Thursday score.

“Once it got into a playoff, I knew she would handle her business,” Graewin said. “Ivanna loves match play and loves to compete. She is forever stamped as the first NJCAA Div. II national (women’s golf) champion.”

Olivia Eckert used her best round of the week to climb seven positions and place inside the Top-10, tying for ninth. Jenna Kramer tied for 40th, and Brooklyn Backoff finished in a tie for 50th overall.

Eckert tallied three birdies on the day, scoring six throughout the tournament.

“It was a total team effort,” Graewin said. “I told each of our ladies that they played a critical role in doing so because everyone had an up and down day at some point through the tournament.

“Ivanna, Olivia, Jenna and Brooklyn will forever be remembered at Iowa Central, and I couldn’t thank them enough for the joy and memories over the past two years.”

NIACC placed sixth overall, DMACC tied for seventh and Iowa Lakes was 11th, giving the ICCAC four teams inside the Top-12 at nationals.

This marked the first year that programs were split among three divisions, instead of just two as in prior years.