Story by NU Athletic Communications
One of the top golfers from the state of Texas, Danica Lundgren signed her National Letter of Intent to join the Nebraska women's golf team on Wednesday, Jan. 24, becoming the fourth member of Coach Jeanne Sutherland's 2024 class.
Lundgren, a senior at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas, was a first-team Class 6A all-state selection as a junior in 2023, helping the Vipers to a Texas UIL 6A Championship. She also helped Vandegrift to state runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2022.
Lundgren finished fifth individually at the 2023 Texas UIL 6-A state championship with rounds of 71 and 72 to finish at 143 (-1) on the 5,876-yard layout at Legacy Hills Golf Course in Georgetown. It followed her sixth-place finish at the Region IV Championship, which included an opening-round 67 (-5) on a 5,881-yard layout at the Golf Club of Texas in San Antonio.
"Danica is the type of player we love at Nebraska," Sutherland said. "She's an excellent player, a strong student and a wonderful person. She has helped her team win a state championship, which makes her the third player in our class this season that can claim that honor. Both Eden (Lohrbach) and Bridget (Butler) also led their team to their respective state championships. Danica will not only fit in well, she will help us raise our level of play going forward."
Lundgren was named the Southern Texas PGA Junior Golfer of the Year in November of 2023. She compiled 55 victories with the STPGA since 2015, including a victory at the STPGA Prestige Tour Alamo City Shootout with rounds of 70 and 66 to finish at 136 (-8) at Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio in April of 2023. She will be formally presented with her Junior Golfer of the Year honor at the STPGA's 56th Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, Feb. 5.
As a young golfer, Lundgren tied for fourth in the Girls 10-11 Division at the 2018 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
"I chose Nebraska because they prioritize athletes by providing an abundance of resources to help them succeed. The amount of support given is like no other school," Lundgren said. "Both Coach Sutherland and Coach (Matt) Zedrick have plenty of experience as coaches and with the game, which was the driving factor in my decision. I wanted to play for a program where I could continue to grow and progress while expanding my knowledge of golf because there is always something new to learn.
Another factor that made me choose Nebraska was the competitiveness of the team. I needed a team with players that would push me to perform and truly earn my spot to play. I like to be surrounded by girls who have the same passion to work and play hard. I am 100 percent sure I found those people. Overall, I'm so honored to have this opportunity to play for Nebraska, and I can't wait to play the game I love as a Husker."
Lundgren joins a Husker incoming class that includes Eden Lohrbach (Ames, Iowa), Bridget Butler (Barrington, Illinois) and Olivia Lovegrove (Lincoln, Nebraska).