University of Michigan Athletics: Mara Janess Takes the Stage in NCAA Golf Regionals
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Excitement is in the air for the University of Michigan’s women’s golf team as redshirt-sophomore Mara Janess has secured an individual bid to the highly anticipated 2025 NCAA Columbus Regional. This momentous announcement was made live on the Golf Channel, and Janess is set to compete at Ohio State’s renowned Scarlet Course from May 5-7.
A Historic Milestone for Mara Janess
With this selection, Janess becomes the fifth Wolverine in history to earn an individual spot, joining the esteemed ranks of past icons like Laura Olin, Amy Schmucker, Ashley Bauer, and Ashley Lau. Notably, she is the first Michigan player since 2019 to receive this honor, breathing new life and hope into the program.
Janess’s journey to the NCAA Finals ramps up this coming Sunday, May 4, when she’ll kick off her practice round in preparation for a challenging 54-hole regional competition. Her goal? To clinch a coveted top position among non-qualifying teams to advance to the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa championships in beautiful Carlsbad, California.
A Season to Remember
This season has been nothing short of transformative for Janess. Leading the Maize and Blue through an impressive 10 events, she has consistently demonstrated her skill with a 73.76 scoring average, marking her as one of the top performers in University of Michigan history—ranking as the 10th best all-time.
Her career trajectory has soared; this season, she averaged nearly two and a half strokes better than her previous best and recorded six sub-par rounds. Among these highlights are a personal best of 69 (-3), marking her first-ever sub-70 round. In total, she logged 10 rounds at par or better, more than tripling her prior record of just three.
Key Performances and Team Contributions
Janess has prominently led U-M in five of the ten events, demonstrating her talent across the board with seven top-20 finishes, including three in the top-10. Her outstanding performance at the Spartan Sun Coast Invitational (February 16-17) solidified her ascent, where she achieved a career-best tie for third place with an impressive 54-hole total of 212 (-4).
In the spring season alone, Janess has marked her territory with five top-20 individual finishes and was pivotal in securing the Terrapin Invitational team title on April 6-7.
A Legacy of Excellence
The University of Michigan has a storied history in regional competition, making 18 appearances over the years. This includes 13 team appearances, with the Wolverines advancing to the NCAA Finals five times (in 2002, 2016, 2017, 2023, and 2022). Janess’s individual selection is a testament to the strength and development of the program.
Michigan’s Individual Invites to the NCAA Postseason
| Year | Region | Golfer | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Central Regional | Laura Olin | t-17th (75-76-78/229) |
| 2006 | Central Regional | Amy Schmucker | t-71st (80-82-78/240) |
| 2010 | Central Regional | Ashley Bauer | t-76th (78-87-80/245) |
| 2019 | East Lansing Regional | Ashley Lau | t-47th (76-77-72/225) |
| 2025 | Columbus Regional | Mara Janess | TBD |
As the countdown to the NCAA Columbus Regional begins, all eyes will be on Mara Janess. Will she make history and advance to the championships? Stay tuned to support not only a talented athlete but a stellar representative of the Wolverine spirit!
For more on NCAA selections and how they shape the future of collegiate athletics, visit the NCAA News.
