The women’s golf team wrapped up its season last week, finishing eighth in the Big 12 Championship and landing a player in the top 10 for the first time.

After taking fifth place on the first day of the tournament, the Cyclones slipped three spots during the next two days of competition. They finished with a team score of 937. Texas A&M won the event, posting a score of 899.

As always, there were bright spots for the Cyclones. Sophomore Jessica Shin was the low scorer on the team for the first time this spring. Shin posted a final score of 229, which tied her for ninth place overall. It was the first time a Cyclone has ever finished in the top 10 at the Big 12 Championship. The effort got Shin all-tournament honors.

“I think it went well,” Shin said. “I started off the season kind of rough, and went through some changes with my swing. It was nice to end on that note.”

ISU coach Christie Martens said she was very impressed with Shin’s play.

“She’s our highest finisher ever in the Big 12 (tournament), which says a lot,” Martens said. “She played tremendously the first few days.”

Martens said Shin’s outlook was a factor in her improvement.

“Jessica [Shin]’s attitude has done a complete 180 from last year to this year,” Martens said. “She’s really mentally tough, and her short game has really come a long way.”

Despite Shin’s performance, the Big 12 tournament marks the end of a rough season for Iowa State. The golfers have struggled most of the spring, finishing no higher than sixth place in any tournament. In Martens’ first full season as head coach, it’s been somewhat of a rebuilding year.

“We went through a lot of changes since last spring,” Shin said. “It’s been kind of a transition year.

With all but one player returning next year, it looks like there’s nowhere to go but up. Martens said she has seen a lot of improvement this year.

“That’s huge, being able to build on the team we have this year,” Martens said. “It makes you really optimistic for the future of the team. Just how much they’ve improved this year is awesome.”

As the Cyclones move into the offseason, they won’t have much time to rest. Instead, they’ll focus on getting ready for next year.

“They’ll all play in tournaments and be busy all summer, so there’s no real down time for golfers,” Martens said. “They’ll all be competing all summer.”

The golfers haven’t wasted any time setting goals for next year, starting with the basics.

“I think we can win a tournament,” Shin said. “We’re looking forward to it.

“Our confidence is as high as it has been.”