Kelsey Chen Won the Powercat Classic Golf Tournament
The Kansas State golfer secured a victory with a new school 54-hole record at Colbert Hills.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Golf
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Kelsey Chen captured the individual title at the Powercat Classic in Manhattan by finishing 15-under-par. Her performance helped lead Kansas State University to a team championship victory by 18 strokes.
Why it matters
Chen's historic victory marks a significant milestone for the Kansas State golf program as she became the first player in school history to record three consecutive rounds in the 60s.
Chen finished with a 15-under-par 201, besting the previous school record of 202, while the Kansas State team posted an even-par 864 to finish 18 strokes ahead of the field of 70 players.
The players
Kelsey Chen
She is a collegiate golfer at Kansas State University who recently set a new school 54-hole record.
Kansas State University
The institution is a public research university that maintains a competitive Division I golf program.
The details
Kelsey Chen solidified her win with a standout performance that included a hole-in-one on the fifth hole at Colbert Hills. Her teammates Nanami Nakashima and Julia Ballester Barrio also placed well, finishing second and tied for fourth, respectively.
Timeline
Kelsey Chen won the tournament on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Noa van Beek set the previous school record in February 2026.
Season Trajectory
Chen's record-breaking performance elevates Kansas State's standing within their conference and strengthens their position for postseason play. The decisive 18-stroke team victory demonstrates the program's current competitive dominance against their peers.
Chen's score of 201 sets a new benchmark for Kansas State, effectively lowering the bar for future team performance requirements. The win significantly improves the team's standing in current rankings as they move deeper into the fall tournament schedule.
The takeaway
Kelsey Chen's historic achievement highlights the importance of consistency in collegiate golf, particularly in maintaining low scores across three consecutive rounds. This tournament victory serves as a strong indicator of the team's current development and potential for future success this season.
Further reading
For more updates on local college athletic achievements, visit Golf.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kclyradio.
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