MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin senior Gabby Curtis has played in every tournament for the Badgers during her four-year career. Ultimately, she saved her best for last.

Curtis tied the 54-hole school record, shooting a 209 (-7) to finish in a tie for fourth place at the NCAA Madison Regional at University Ridge Golf Course. That earned her a trip to the NCAA Championships May 18-23 at Karsten Creek Golf Club, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She is just the second Badger in school history to advance to the NCAA championships as an individual.

"The greens were a lot more receptive today so that helped to just be able to place the ball in the middle of the greens and make putts from there," Curtis said. "After I made a couple of birdies on my first nine, and I got to my back nine, I was just like 'ok, let's just settle in and let's just take it from here and just see what happens.'"

Fighting off rainy and windy conditions that forced a shotgun start in the morning, Curtis made four birdies in her first 11 holes. When the conditions cleared, she stayed steady, making par on her last seven holes. Her final round 68 was her second round of the week in the 60s, having shot a career-best 67 in Monday's opening round.

"I'm unbelievably proud of Gabby and how she played today and really all week," UW head coach Todd Oehrlein said. "She was so steady today, really sharp and hardly ever in trouble."

For Curtis, it was the best finish of her career and fourth career top 10. Her career scoring average is now 74.46, second only to Brooke Ferrell's 74.0 in UW history. By playing in the NCAA championships, Curtis (136 rounds) will break Kris Yoo's school record for rounds played (138).

This season, Curtis has recorded 10 top-25 finishes in Wisconsin's 12 events. Her season scoring average is 72.78, second only to Ferrell's 72.25 last season. 

As a team, Wisconsin finished ninth, its best regional finish since 2014. Its 54-hole total of 874 was its second-best this season and tied for the eighth-best in school history. The top six teams advanced to the NCAA championships, with the Badgers ultimately finishing 10 strokes off the magic number.

"I've said it all year, but this was a great group to coach," Oehrlein said. "They were so much fun to be around, really hard workers, and a pleasure to work with every day."

Senior Lexi Harkins tied for 23rd at 1-over par for the tournament. Classmate Becky Klongland tied for 54th at +7 while junior Jessica Reinecke was two back of her in a tie for 61st. Senior Aya Johnson placed 85th at +18.

Curtis, Harkins, Johnson, Klongland and Reinecke played in every event for the Badgers this season and all five recorded season scoring averages among the top 20 in school history: Curtis - 72.78 (2nd), Harkins - 73.09 (3rd), Johnson - 74.38 (6th), Klongland - 74.5 (7th), Reinecke - 75.31 (17th).

Klongland's career scoring average of 75.89 is fourth-best in school history.

As a team, the Badgers' season scoring average of 292.25 was almost four strokes better than the school record of 296.16 set last year.