Payton Lee
K-State Golfer Nanami Nakashima watches her putt at the Powercat Invitational on October 20, 2025. Nakashima finished three under par after the first day of the event.
Kansas State hosted a 16-team tournament at Colbert Hills Golf Course, where the Wildcats dominated the rest of the field.
The Wildcats came in first with a score of 13 over par, which was 27 shots ahead of Cincinnati, which finished at 40 over par.
“We are delighted to defend Colbert Hills and go back-to-back in our home tournament in such emphatic fashion,” K-State head coach Stew Burke said. “The ladies did an incredible job all week.”
K-State also did well in the individual competition as they took home first, second and third place in that as well.
Coming in first was Nanami Nakashima, as she was the only player in the entire tournament to finish the 54-hole tournament under par. Nakashima finished at five under, including an opening round of three under par and a finishing round of two under par.
“I am really delighted for Nanami to get her first college win — especially being the only player under par over three days — and how she handled herself in the final round, especially coming down the stretch,” Burke said.
Right behind Nakashima was teammate Noa van Beek, finishing the tournament at straight even par. Nakashima and van Beek entered the third round tied for the top spot. While competing for the same team, they also engaged in a friendly competition for the individual win.
In third place was Jiarui [Kelsey] Chen, who finished her round at seven over par, a shot in front of the fourth-place finisher. Chen had a rough second round, but persevered in the final round to jump three places and finish in third.
The last team placer for the Wildcats was Thitaree [Keen] Visavapattamawan, who finished in 11th place at 12 over par. Like Chen, Visavapattamawan fell a little in round two but finished the tournament strong, helping the Wildcats secure the top spot.
In all three of the tournament’s rounds, the Wildcats recorded the lowest round of any team, finishing four under par during the first round. The only tournament round in which a team finished below par was the four-under round one.
K-State’s win was its first outright win of the season, finishing its fall season strong. The Wildcats have had solid showings all year, so winning in a dominating fashion at home is a good step to build on for the spring season.
“These ladies have truly earned some time off,” Burke said. “I am looking forward to meeting with them all individually to break down the season and put our blueprint in place so we can start the spring hot and make a postseason push.”
The Wildcats will compete in five tournaments in the spring, including the Big 12 tournament, and are hopeful to get a bid into the NCAA tournament regionals as well.