The Notre Dame women’s golf team placed seventh out of 15 teams this past week at the Wolverine Invitational in head coach Breanna Jenco’s first competition in charge. Held at the Michigan Golf Club in Ann Arbor, the Irish shot a combined +41, edging out the likes of Indiana, USF and Rutgers en route to a respectable finish on a historic weekend.
Jenco took over the position after Caroline Powers Ellis resigned in May. Prior to assuming the role, Jenco built her alma mater Xavier into a formidable program in the Big East. Jenco won the Big East Coach of the Year award six times between 2016–2025, all while developing 14 All-Big East selections and qualifying for six consecutive NCAA regional appearances.
The Irish’s successful weekend was led by freshman Jordan Levitt’s top-10 finish. Levitt’s premier showing came in round one when she sunk two birdies to only one bogey, finishing the day at 70 (-1). In total, Levitt recorded seven birdies through the three-round tournament, finishing with a stroke count of 218 (+5).
Classmate Sawyer Brockstedt also had a superb debut. Brockstedt finished 33rd overall after shooting 225 (+12). Brockstedt heated up as the tournament moved along, posting a team-low score of 72 (+1). Initially from Delaware, Brockstedt won the 2020 US Kids Teen World Championship and qualified for the 2023 USGA Women’s Amateur prior to joining the Irish. With her impressive accolades, there is no doubt that she will play a big role in Notre Dame’s quest for an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Sophomores Maddy Bante and Bridget Wilkie both shot 229 (+16). Last season, both had standout freshman campaigns. Bante finished fifth overall on two separate occasions and recorded a 74.2 stroke average, while Wilkie shined with two top-ten finishes and a 73.7 stroke average.
Now some of the more experienced players on a young Notre Dame team, Bante and Wilkie’s role will extend beyond the course this year into one that consists of leadership – especially with the arrival of new freshmen.
Levitt and Brockstedt are accompanied by fellow first-year Taryn Cagle, who rounded out Notre Dame’s performance with a 231 (+18) stroke count. Cagle was Notre Dame’s best performer in round two as she finished even thanks to birdies on 8, 11 and 12.
The Irish will next take the course at the Inverness Intercollegiate in Toledo, Ohio from Sept. 15–16. With Jenco’s team consisting of three freshmen, four sophomores, one junior and no seniors, Notre Dame has a lot to prove. If they can consistently start strong in round one and play well on the greens, the Irish have a legitimate chance to punch well above their weight in the star-studded ACC.
Considering Jenco’s elite background, there is no reason why this young Notre Dame team can’t turn some heads as the season rolls along. Following their stop in Ohio, the Irish will host the Women’s Fighting Irish Invitational on Sept. 28.
