Athlete of the week: Nicole Kolbas

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nicole Kolbas is now the back-to-back champion for the Lincoln Women’s City golf tournament.

On Monday, she finished the three round championship shooting 62-70-70, totaling 202.

Nicole (Coco) shot a course low at Pioneers with a 62. The 3-day event was held at Pioneers, Highlands and Crooked Creek.

“It was a blast. Honestly, I went into the week with no expectations,” Kolbas said.

At the 93rd annual championship, Kolbas’s 62 was not only the course record at Pioneers, but also her personal best.

“Being able to break my own record at Pioneers was fun,” said Kolbas.

Her record round included 10 birdies and just one bogey. “I don’t think I had a putt longer than 10 feet for birdie.”

Kolbas is a Lincoln native. She graduated from Lincoln Pius X. Now, the 21 year old is approaching her senior season at the University of Nevada.

She says being able to come back to the capital city and compete on home soil makes her feel more at ease; which she also credits why she plays so well.

“I’m a family person at heart. Being home and being in that environment is what really makes it for me,” said the two time champion. “It’s a good grounding moment for me, being home with family.”

Now, Kolbas will focus on her final year of college in Reno. But, she’ll have her eyes on a potential three-peat if she decides to compete again next summer.

Although, winning runs in the Kolbas family. Her mother Stephanie is an 18 time champion.