K-State’s epic regional win propels Kansas State to first-ever NCAA Championship

The Kansas State Wildcats are on the cusp of capturing their first-ever NCAA title.

The women’s golf team, led by senior Carla Bernat, has advanced to the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship after tying for second place at the 2025 NCAA Lexington Regional on Wednesday afternoon at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Next stop: Cali 😼👌

We're #NCAAGolf CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND for the first time in program history! pic.twitter.com/aNiFTSPxxI
— K-State Women's Golf (@KStateWGolf) May 7, 2025

Bernat claimed her third individual victory of the season—her fifth as a Wildcat and eighth overall in her collegiate career—after previously being named the 2024–2025 Big 12 Player of the Year.

"Carla really had a great tournament and built well into the week," head coach Stew Burke told KStatesports.com. "Winning a regional against the No. 1 and No. 2 players not just in the country but the world is no easy feat. It was special to see her albatross on hole 5, and it came right when we needed it as a team. To win once in college golf is an unbelievable achievement, but eight times is truly remarkable. She has a bright future ahead of her after college, but let’s first try to add to that total in California."

The team began Wednesday in third place and finished with a three-round total of 10-under-par 854—the sixth-lowest 54-hole score in school history and 12 strokes clear of the cutline.

"Moments like this are why we do all the work," Burke said. "It was a pleasure to be out there today with them. They were composed, confident, and determined. Nobody was going to give it to us, so we just had to go out there and take it."

Next up is the 2025 NCAA Championship, which begins Friday, May 16. The field will be cut on Sunday to 15 teams and nine individual competitors, with the final round scheduled for Monday, May 19.