Women's Golf | 12/11/2025 11:08:00 AM
Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston women's golf recently announced the signing of three local prep standouts and an international golfer to their roster for 2026. Second year head coach
Brady Heppner announced the signings of Nayonika Kapoor (Bangalore, India), Dani Tinklenberg (Williston, N.D.), Lauren Sitter (Medora, N.D.) and Kyndall Peterson (Dickinson, N.D.).
It's one of the larger freshmen classes in recent years for the Golden Eagles, who had a very successful fall season and will play more tournaments in the spring. Next season, Minnesota Crookston will return a pair of key contributors to this year's squad in
Ainsley McLain (Jr., Grafton, N.D.) and two-sport standout
Emma Pierson (Fr., Cherry Valley, Ill.).
Libby Dulmage (Jr., Leeds, N.D.) has also been in the top five this season and will also return to the lineup next season.
The Golden Eagles finished in the top 10 in all five tournaments, including a second-place finish at the EverSpring Inn & Suites Mustang Invite and a tie for third at the USF Invitational to close out the Fall season.
The signees who are reported in this release either signed an Athletic Aid Agreement or an Institutional Declaration of Intent (IDI). All signees released by the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the compliance office that all documents have been properly signed and dated and have been authorized for release.
Dani Tinklenberg (Williston, N.D.)
Tinklenberg joins the Golden Eagles after a standout prep career for the Coyotes of Williston High School…Was a five-year letterwinner on the golf team…Was a member of the WDA All-Conference and WDA Academic All-Conference…Was a two-time state qualifier in 2024 as an individual and 2025 as both an individual and team…Fantastic in the classroom, winning the AP Scholar Award and Teacher Recognition AP Psych Award…Also is a member of the Honor Roll and will graduate with Honors.
Tinklenberg is the daughter of Kelly and Mike Tinklenberg of Williston…Plans to major in Sport Media and Communications as a student-athlete at Minnesota Crookston.
Kyndall Peterson (Dickinson, N.D.)
Another western North Dakota native that will golf for the Golden Eagles…A two-time All-Conference honoree as both a junior and senior…Qualified for state three times as a sophomore, junior and senior…Member of the Honor Roll as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Kyndall's grandpa played baseball for North Idaho College in the late 70's and was eventually drafted by the New York Yankees in both 1978 and 1979.
Kyndall is the daughter of Nick and Jasi Peterson of Dickinson, N.D…Kyndall plans on majoring in Biology while a student-athlete at Minnesota Crookston.
Laura Sitter (Medora, N.D.)
Sitter makes it three western North Dakota golfers for the Golden Eagle signing class…Golfing for Heart River, she was named to the All-Region team in 2024 and 2025, where she finished second individually in the region…Placed seventh at state in 2025, being named to the All-State team…Was also named the Most Improved Player for her senior season of 2025…As a team, led the Cougars to a first place finish in the region and a third place finish at state as a junior…As a senior, she was a key cog in the Cougars winning the State Championship this past season.
Laura is the daughter of Jennifer and Clarence Sitter of Medora…Is undecided on her major while a student-athlete at Minnesota Crookston.
Nayonika Kapoor (Bangalore, India)
Nayonika will be the first international golfer since at least 2010 for the Golden Eagles…Was a winner of the Eminence Sports Award in 2024 and was a vice captain for two seasons…Is a member of the Indian Golf Union (IGU).
Nayonika is the daughter of Nikhil Kapoor and Priyanka Sharma Kapoor, both of Bangalore…Is planning to major in Software Engineering while being a student-athlete at Minnesota Crookston.
