WILMINGTON, North Carolina - The UNCW women's golf team will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to participate in the Central Regional of the 2012 NCAA Women's Golf Championships after the 72-team field was announced Monday by the tournament selection committee.

The Seahawks are one of 24 teams and six individuals that will compete in the 54-hole event, scheduled for May 10-12 on the Scarlet Course of the Ohio State University Golf Club. The top eight teams, along with the two lowest individuals that are not members of a team advancing to the championships will earn a spot in the 2012 NCAA Women's Golf Championships, scheduled for May 22-25 at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn.

"We are excited to be returning to the NCAA Regionals for a second straight season," said UNCW Head Coach Cindy Ho. "I have always enjoyed taking part in events at the Ohio State Golf Club. They have hosted many top events over the years and always do a fantastic job of putting on a top-notch event every time they host."

UNCW qualified for its eighth NCAA Regional and the seventh in 10 seasons under Ho by winning its second straight Colonial Athletic Association Women's Golf Championship and the program's fourth conference title in six seasons April 20-22 on the Reserve Course of the St. James Plantation.

The Seahawks are led by senior Sofia Hagsund, who has fashioned a team-low 75.53 stroke average in 30 rounds this season. The Landskrona, Sweden, native earned All-Tournament Team honors at the CAA Championship after finishing second with a five-over-par (72-75-74=221) scorecard.

Sophomore Laverry Kumar is second on the team with a 76.20 stroke average while classmate Lori Beth Adams is third (76.60) after garnering All-Tournament Team accolades at the CAA Championship with a third-place finish at six-over-par (74-76-72=222).

The Central Regional features seven programs ranked in the Golfstat Top 25, led by No. 2 Southern California, No. 4 Auburn, No. 9 Georgia and No. 10 Vanderbilt. Other top 25 teams selected to the Columbus regional include No. 16 Ohio State, No. 21 Oregon and No. 22 North Carolina State.

"Next weekend will be a great test for us against some of the top programs in the country," said Ho. "We look forward to playing solid golf and completing for a spot in the National Championships."

2012 NCAA Women's Golf Championships Central Regional
Scarlet Course, Ohio State University Golf Club
May 10-12, 2012

Southern California

Auburn (SEC)

Georgia

Vanderbilt

Tennessee

Ohio State

Oregon

North Carolina State

Virginia

Florida State

Purdue

Arkansas

Ole Miss

Kentucky

Texas State

South Florida (BIG EAST)

North Dame

UTSA (Southland)

East Carolina

Michigan

UNCW (Colonial)

Harvard (Ivy)

Butler (Horizon)

Siena (MAAC)

Individuals

Madeleine Shiels, Nebraska

Alex Buelow, Stetson

Rika Park, Miami (Fla.)

Brittany Henderson Coastal Carolina

Leticia Ras-Anderica, Miami, (Fla.)

Gabriella Wahl, East Tennessee State