Story by Tyler Price - Cassandra Contreras of the Central Methodist University women's golf program entered the 2022 Heart of America Athletic Conference Golf Championships as one of the favorites to win the individual crown.

The Goodyear, Arizona native had been named the Heart Women's Golfer of the Week four times during the 2021-22 season and was the defending Heart Champion. She won the individual Heart championship in 2021 at the same venue as in 2022.

It was a normal round for the sophomore on Monday, April 25 in round one of the Heart Championships at The Golf Club at Creekmoor in Raymore, Mo.

But on the 17th hole, Nik Rule, Athletic Director at William Penn University and tournament director of the Heart Championship, was informed that Contreras had possibly committed an infraction on the golf course.

Because of wet conditions, the tournament decided to allow the players to play 'lift, clean and replace in the closely mown areas of the course' which means fairways and fringe areas around the green.

Unbeknownst to her, she had picked up her ball in an area of the rough that she wasn't allowed too and placed the ball back in the rough to improve her lie.

Rule called CMU head coach Stephen Main and met with him to discuss the situation.

After Contreras finished the next hole on 18 to complete her first round, she met with Rule and Main to discuss the situation. She immediately came forth stating tshe made a mistake, violated the rule and wanted to correct the situation.

"When we approached her, she was so graceful and forthcoming," said Rule "Not only did she own the infraction, she went hole-by-hole and assessed herself penalties for each time she made the error. I was blown away with the integrity she displayed in a very tough situation, she displayed character and strength in a way that I have never seen before in college athletics."

Contreras went hole by hole with Rule and her head coach and determined that on several holes she had mistakenly picked up her ball in areas where she wasn't allowed. Thus giving her a first round score of 93. In comparison, she shot a 78 in round two and 79 in round three at the event.

"In that moment, we saw the purity of Cassandra's character. She was honest, calm and had the sole focus of doing the right thing," said Rule.

"It was a moment I will never forget the rest of my life. She has made a lifelong supporter out of me and others. Perhaps the best moment of the entire event was when she was honored in front of all competitors for her act of integrity, receiving the loudest applause of the awards ceremony."

"When I was informed of the infraction, I just relied on my morals and knew I had to do the right thing," said Contreras.

"I easily could have lied about it or said I couldn't remember. But I took it for what it was, it was a mistake and I just told myself I have to own it."

She would impressively go on to shoot the third lowest score of the second round amongst a group of 56 golfers. She then shot the second lowest score of round three to finish the tournament, tying for ninth-place and earning All-Conference honors.

After being informed of the infraction, Contreras could have done a number of things. She could have withdrawn from event, or shot poorly the rest of the tournament. Contreras continued on and showed incredible determination and character to finish the tournament to the best of her abilities.

"After that happened, I tried to stay out of my own head and focus on next hole and next shot," said Contreras.

Coming into the 2022 Heart Championships, Contreras had thoughts of this potentially being her last collegiate golf tournament if she were able to win back-to-back individual Heart championships.

"Everything happens for a reason. If that didn't happen, I would have probably stopped playing golf."

"My journey isn't done yet, and I have drive to keep getting better as a player and I think I can play even better. I want more, I think there is more for me. Options are still open for me as far as playing."

Contreras is keeping all options open for her future as a collegiate golfer. She will continue to strive to be a woman of character and of honesty throughout her life. Those values have always been instilled in her from her family.

"Definitely my Mom and Dad have helped shaped me in the person I am today and always instilled to me to be truthful," said Contreras. 

"My Dad has been that father/coach figure to me. I have always been raised to never give up and never quit. Things happen and you just have to keep going. My Mom and Dad definitely instilled in me to stay true to myself and stay true to my character."

We can all take away these wise words from Contreras, who has proven to be a true Champion of Character.

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