Nebraska women’s golf coach Lisa Johnson announced the signings of three talented players to National Letters of Intent to join the Husker program in 2022-23.
Kelli Ann Strand (Idaho), Sydney Harz (Germany) and Ariel Gonzalez (Mexico) will add to an already diverse roster of Husker golfers continuing to climb in status in the Big Ten Conference and nationally.
The top player in the state of Idaho, Strand is coming off an October win at the Idaho Golf Association Women’s Championship. Strand fired a two-day total of 142 (72-70). She captured her second consecutive Idaho Class 2A individual high school state championship in May with a two-round total of 135 (66-69). Strand’s nine-under-par score at Circling Raven Golf Course in Worley, Idaho, allowed her to win the title by 25 strokes over the second-place finisher.
She also won the 2A state championship as a freshman in 2019, but was unable to compete in the spring of 2020 because of the cancellation of the season caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In August of 2019, Strand added a title at the Idaho Junior Amateur in the girls 15-18 age group by 13 strokes with a three-round total of 209 (66-71-72).
In the summer of 2018, Strand placed second at the Idaho Women’s State Amateur in Boise with a three-day total of 228, just four strokes behind the champion. At age 14, Strand was the youngest golfer in the women’s field.
During the summer of 2021, Strand led Idaho to a runner-up finish at the Girls Junior Americas Cup at Banbury Golf Course in Eagle, Idaho. Strand fired a 64 in the second round to help Idaho finish with a team score of 610 (-16), just three strokes back of the champions from Team Mexico. Southern California finished third at 614 (-12).
“Kelli Ann is a powerful player who truly understands how to compete,” Nebraska Coach Lisa Johnson said. “Her work ethic is unmatched. She has dominated the golf circuit in Idaho and will bring that winning tradition to Nebraska. She is also an excellent student and her character will add to a team of value-driven players.”
Harz has been one of the top young players in Germany for several years and is a member of the German National Team. She won the 2020 Freiburg Golf Club Championship at her home club with a three-round total of 204 (-9). She also took a runner-up finish at the 2020 National Youth Challenge U16 in Spessart, after also taking second at the 2020 State Squad Qualifying tournament with a single-round 69 (-3). In 2018, Harz won the BWGZ State Championships U14 with a two-round score of 142 (-2), while adding a title at the 2018 International Match Play. She also finished third at the German National Semifinals U16 in 2019.
“Sydney is a strong player on the international level and has had great success in Europe,” Johnson said. “She has learned a lot as a member of the German National Team that will serve her well as a competitor. Her game is strong in all facets and she will be a valuable addition to the team.”
Gonzalez completes Nebraska’s three-golfer signing class. The native of Merida, Mexico tied for 20th at the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championship in July of 2021 with a four-round total of 296. She also tied for 16th at the Insperity Invitational/Patrick Reed AJGA Junior Championship in June, after opening her American Junior Golf Association appearances with a tie for 24th at the evian International & Senior Showcase in November of 2020.
“Ariel has competed for her state and her country and is a strong team player,” Johnson said. “She has won at many levels of the game and has a desire to help Nebraska achieve it’s team goals. Ariel has a great spirit and true love of the game, and we look forward to coaching her.”
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