FRANKLIN, Ind. - IUPUI senior women's golfer Kristi O'Brien was recently named the Indiana Women's Golf Association Alice O'Neal Dye Player of the Year Award recipient, according to Indiana Golf. The Fort Wayne-native edged out Kristi Cardwell by a half point to earn her first career recognition.

O'Brien strung together three sharp rounds (72-69-69) at The Fort to finish 8-under par and capture the Women's State Amateur in late July. At the Women's Match Play Championship at Prairie View, she advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion KC Cain.

O'Brien was also one of just two players from the state to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links held at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in late June.

Her success has carried over to the start of her senior year where she recently tied for second at The Preview at Hawthorns Golf & Country Club. In all, she's collected three top five and five top 10 finishes in five tournaments and ranks third in The Summit League in stroke average at 75.18 after 11 rounds. With O'Brien headlining the lineup, the Jaguars have beaten nearly 70 percent of their opponents this fall, including a pair of runner-up finishes.