University of Nebraska at Kearney Women's Golf

Alma Mater:  Concordia (Neb.) U.  Graduating Year: 2015 Experience: 8th Year Coaching Career 2017-Present: Head Coach 2015-17: Graduate Assistant Coach, Concordia Shawn Rodehorst, a Kearney native, was hired as head coach of Loper women's golf in August 2017.  “He had a great experience at Concordia and brings a tremendous personality to a program that is ready to build off its successful past. I’m especially pleased that he will be the first full-time head women’s golf coach in school history. We consolidated our resources and combined this position with an important accounting role so that Shawn could be on campus regularly and have more availability to our golfers,” said then-UNK Athletic Director Dr. Paul Plinske.  Under his direction, UNK has become one of the premier programs in both the MIAA and Central Region. In 2023, the Lopers qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history after winning the MIAA title in 2022. The record books continue to be rewritten on an annual basis (season and career). Rodehorst also serves as the Student Athlete Success Advisor, working with freshmen and transfers.  In his first year at the helm, UNK reached the NCAA Central Super Regional for a second consecutive year.  The Lopers had four top five finishes during the regular season and placed seventh at the MIAA Championships. Kearney was regionally-ranked and set numerous team and individual records. Finally, senior Samantha Crawford left with a slew of season and career records while being tabbed second-team All-MIAA. In 2018-19 the Lopers again made NCAA Regionals and set a slew of team and individual records. Senior Danielle Dickerson and sophomore Nia Station became the third and fourth Lopers, respectively, to earn All-MIAA honors. UNK was runner up in two tournaments, third in another and regionally-ranked all season. Lastly, senior Maaika Mestl earned Academic All-American honors from two different outlets thanks to graduating with a 4.00 grade point average.  The 2019-20 season was cut short due to the pandemic. UNK was runner up in its only spring event and placed third in two fall tournaments. In good shape to make another regional appearance, the Lopers continued to rewrite the record book.  Another shortened season followed in 2020-21 as there was no fall tournament play. UNK won the Wayne State Classic and finished sixth at the MIAA's with Paige Lucero and Allison Comber being tabbed as WGCA All-American Scholars. Finally, Lacie Fox then picked up the WGCA Kim Moore Spirit Award for Division II.  The 2021-22 season was one of the best squads in UNK history. The Lopers won the MIAA Tournament, placing first out of 11 teams with a 934. It marked the team's third win of the spring and seventh top two finish of the year. A slew of individual and team records were broken with UNK being nationally-ranked for the first time in many seasons. Lastly, the program reached NCAA Regionals again with two being named All-MIAA.  The momentum continued in 2022-23 as UNK reached the NCAA Championships after a third place showing at regionals (school-record 886 for 54-holes). The Lopers finished 13th at nationals and capped a year in which it placed in the top three in nine different tournaments. Last year, junior Juliana Botero Molina became the fourth Loper to individually qualify for the regional tourney. She also earned her third straight All-MIAA honor and was the MIAA tourney medalist.  Prior to UNK, he served as a graduate assistant coach for the Bulldog men’s and women’s golf teams for two seasons. During that time, Rodehorst was involved in all aspects of the programs. As a player, Rodehorst starred on the Concordia men’s golf team from 2011-15, setting new school records for stroke average in a season (75.2) and career (77.7). He was named All-GPAC (Great Plains Athletic Conf.) three times and helped CU improve its standing at the GPAC Championships each spring. Finally, Rodehorst was voted a team captain three times by his teammates.  Holding a bachelor's degree in Finance and a Master’s in Business Administration from Concordia, Rodehorst excelled in the classroom. He was tabbed as the “Outstanding Graduate in Business” at the time of his undergraduate graduation and was one of 17 NAIA men’s golfers from around the country to be named a 2015 Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-American Scholar. Rodehorst has worked as a Season Assistant at Kearney Country Club for four years, was an Operations Intern at Crete Carrier and also was a Sales Representative for Snap! Fundraising. At KCHS, Rodehorst was a four-time Class C state qualifier, helping the Stars finish fourth as a team twice.  

Mayo just completed his third year as Nebraska-Kearney's women's golf coach. In his first year at the helm, freshman Ana Summers qualified for NCAA Regional play. The Lopers had four MIAA Academic Honor Roll qualifiers and had three top three finishes. During the 2013-14 season, UNK was among the top teams in the MIAA and Central Region. The Lopers had two top three finishes and turned in two of the lowest team scores, 640 and 649, in school history. In the class room, the squad boasted well over a 3.30 GPA. This past year, the Lopers once again flirted with making NCAA Regionals for the first time in program history. Kearney had five top five finishes, including two first place efforts, and had some of the top 18 and 36 hole scores in school history. Summers again qualified for the regionals, as an individual, while also earning All-MIAA honors. While getting his degree in Physical Education and Coaching from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Mayo realized his love for teaching the game of golf. Working at some of the best facilities in the nation -- Southern Highlands G.C. (Nev.), Cherry Creek C.C. (Colo.), Blackstone C.C. (Colo.), Castle Pines G.C. (Colo.) and Columbine C.C. (Colo.) -- Mayo learned his teaching philosophy from some of the top professionals in their respective sections. He also received his Class A affiliation from the PGA in 2010. Mayo uses his background and experience from his degree with his knowledge of the golf swing, to work with each individuals swing and the mental aspects of the game. Also an expert club fitter, Mayo brings an added touch to help bring Loper golf to the next level by providing each one of his student-athletes with clubs and other equipment that fit their swing type. Originally from Gibbon, Mayo was a four-time letter winner for the Buffaloes who placed in the Top 20 of the Class C-1 state tournament during his junior season. Mayo lives in Kearney with his wife, Megan, and their son, Landon.

Jay Cottam, an Assistant Professional at Awarii Dunes golf course in Axtell, Neb., is in his second year working with the Loper women's golf team.  The Hebron native is a decorated high school and collegiate golfer, having starred at Thayer Central High, UNK and Nebraska-Lincoln. He also was the 2017 Nebraska Golf Association Amateur Match-Play Champion. Cottam spent the spring of 2019 player for the Huskers, having a 73.42 season stroke average. Among his highlights was going a team-best 3-1 on day two of the Big Ten Match Play tourney in Palm Coast, Fla., placing fourth at the Husker Invite (1-over 143), and tying for 16th at the Big Ten Championships (221). He set numerous records and won many honors in three years as a Loper. His 73.16 stroke average in 2017-18 set a new school record with his career average of 74.79 ranking fourth in program history. A two-time All-MIAA selection, Cottam holds the UNK mark for lowest 36-hole score (140) while ranking in the top 11 for both 18 and 54 hole scores. Off the course he was a 2017 MIAA Scholar Athlete and a two-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll qualifier.  At Thayer Central, Cottam was the 2015 Class C state medalist thanks to winning a three-hole playoff. He carded a birdie on the second extra hole. Two years earlier he was state runner up to help the Titans win the team state tile. Finally, Cottam was the 2014 Class D state runner up in leading his team to another state title.