FARGO (KVRR/NDSU Athletics) – North Dakota State women’s golf head coach Matt Johnson has announced the addition of two players on signing day. Bella Leonhart and Jeri Lafleche will join the Bison in the fall of 2025.
Lafleche will join NDSU from Collège Jean Sauvè in Winnipeg, Canada. She was the back-to-back Manitoba Women’s Amateur Champion in 2022 and 2023 and a three-time Hurricane Tour Champion. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was also a three-time finalist for the Manitoba Female Golfer of the Year and was the youngest competitor to win the Manitoba Women’s Amateur Championship at 15 years old.
“Jeri is a strong competitor with an excellent golf resume in both Canada and the U.S.,” said Johnson. “She has played in many high-level events including the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and she has competed very well. Jeri not only brings a very strong golf game to NDSU but will also fit well with the culture and personality of our team. I’m very excited to have her as a Bison next year.”
Leonhart was a four-year letterwinner at Forest Lake Senior High School and was a four-time state qualifier. She notched a 77.0 scoring average last season and a three-time All-State selection. The Marine on St Croix, Minn., native was also a four-time All-Conference honoree.
“Bella decided she wanted to be a Bison on the first day she visited our campus, and I’m really looking forward to having her join our program,” said Johnson. “Bella has spent her junior golf career seeking out the best competition she could find, and has never been afraid to compete against older and more experienced players. All those experiences have grown her game tremendously and she will be ready for the step up to Division I golf when she arrives here at NDSU.”
NDSU will be back in action to begin its spring schedule at the Mountain Classic Match play on Feb. 9-11 in Palm Desert, Calif.