UIndy’s Cailyn Henderson receives Division II WGCA All-America honors

By RICHIE HALL
It didn’t take the college golf world long to figure out something the Indiana high school golf world has known for years: Cailyn Henderson is an exceptional player.
Henderson, a 2018 Westfield graduate who led the Shamrocks to two state runner-up finishes, earned her first national honor after completing her sophomore season at the University of Indianapolis. She was named to the 2020 Division II All-America Second Team by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA).
“I’m just very appreciative and it feels good to be recognized,” said Henderson. “I feel like there’s a lot more work to be done, so I’m just going to keep on practicing until I get to where I want to be. But it’s a great honor, yes.”
The Greyhounds have built a championship legacy in the recent past, winning Division II national championships in 2015 and 2018. Coming into a program like this as a freshman would have been daunting for anyone, but UIndy coach Brent Nicoson said that Henderson had no trouble fitting in. The coach praised Henderson’s work ethic and said she is an “unbelievable teammate.”
“She’s always positive,” said Nicoson. “She’s played in every tournament since she’s been here and I don’t see that changing. I get to see first hand how hard she works at it. She wants me to help her literally every day if I could.”
Henderson took to the college level quickly. In only her second tournament as a freshman, she placed third out of 87 golfers at the Cardinal Classic, which took place at The Players Club in Yorktown. At the very next tournament, Henderson tied for fourth at the Gilda’s Club Laker Fall Invitational at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale, Mich.
The Greyhounds won the team title in both tournaments as well; the Cardinal Classic victory came against several Division I teams. It also exposed Henderson to the high level of college golf right away.
“It was very different, because I remember my freshman year, you have to get into a different mindset,” said Henderson. “And it was great to compete against these great golfers. It was a whole different competitive vibe. And you have to learn how to compete and how to score with these great golfers as well.”
Henderson finished the year strong, placing second at the Great Lakes Valley Conference – another event the Greyhounds won handily, by a record 53 strokes. That boosted UIndy into the post-season, where it was the runner-up at the NCAA DII East regional in Owensboro, Ky., then reached the semi-finals of the D-II national championships in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Henderson played in both post-season events, saying that the experience reminded her of the state tournament in high school. She admitted to some nerves on the first tee, but played well at nationals. She was named the GLVC Freshman of the Year.
“I normally always get first-tee jitters, and then after the first hole’s done, they’re normally completely gone,” said Henderson.
“She’s contributed a great amount,” said Nicoson. “She is absolutely relentless in her pursuit to get better.”
The coach noted that Henderson is “never satisfied” and believes that is what makes her a great competitor, calling it her “pursuit of perfection. She’s going to work her butt off until she gets there,” said Nicoson.
Henderson had a strong fall season, winning two of the five events that UIndy played. Both those victories came in October: She finished first at the William Beall Fall Classic in Findlay, Ohio; then won the Music City Invitational at Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Henderson placed third in what would be the Greyhounds’ only event of the spring, the Augustana Spring Fling at Palm Desert, Calif. March 12-13. Shortly thereafter, all college sports were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, Henderson is finishing up her sophomore year, with online classes. She has decided to major in business.
“My freshman year I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I took a bunch of the general courses,” said Henderson. “And so now I’m focusing on the courses that apply to my major.”
Henderson’s No. 1 goal is to go professional, but she has decided on a backup plan: She’s considering going to cosmetology school after college, then combine that with her business degree to open up her own salon one day.
But after two great seasons at UIndy, it’s easy to see Henderson’s professional goals become reality. Nicoson said that her putting has gotten better and she’s more consistent with her ball striking because of her hard work.
“She realizes what it takes,” said Nicoson, who noted that some people are the opposite. The coach said that when he called Henderson to congratulate her on becoming a Second Team All-American, she said “next year I’m being a First Team All-American.”
“Our goals just align perfectly,” said Nicoson.
Henderson was one of three UIndy players to receive All-America honors. Pilar Echeverria was named to the All-America First Team, while Anna Kramer earned All-America Honorable Mention, giving UIndy three honorees.
Henderson is enjoying her teammates as well.
“They’ve become my best friends and I go to them for everything,” she said. “I truly love my team and they’re great people.”