HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Henderson State and Southwestern Oklahoma State carded matching scores of 315 to share the first-round lead at the 2016 Great American Conference Women’s Golf Championships from Hot Springs Country Club.
Christian Barrett and Sarah Wright paced the Reddies on Sunday. Barrett shot a 3-over-par 75 to finish the day in a tie for second place. Wright, a Second-Team All-GAC selection recorded a 6-over 78 to share eighth place. Luisa Gartmann, a First-Team All-GAC performer, and Katie Kilponen each posted rounds of 81 to tie for 14th.
Three Bulldogs ended Sunday inside the top 10, headed up by Elin Wahlin and Emily Folsom. Wahlin, a First-Team choice, and Folsom, a member of the All-GAC Second-Team, shot 77’s to tie for fourth and Gloria Choi, SWOSU’s other First-Team golfer, added a 78.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS || PHOTO GALLERY || SECOND ROUND TEE TIMES
Arkansas Tech finished the day two strokes back of the Reddies and Lady Bulldogs. All three entered the GAC Championships ranked in the top seven of the most recent NCAA Division II Central Region rankings. The Golden Suns’ Jessica Sachs finished atop the individual leaderboard after shooting a 2-over 74. She made four birdies, tied more the most amongst the 50 players.
Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Nazarene ended the day in fourth and fifth, respectively. Lauren Johnson led the Blossoms with a 77 to share fourth place. Frida Rydberg added a 78 to tie for eighth. The Crimson Storm’s Marion Broedys shot a 75, highlighted by consecutive birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th holes.
Southern Arkansas placed sixth, followed by East Central, Harding and Northwestern Oklahoma State. SAU’s Helle Leed matched Sachs with four birdies in her round. She finished with a 77.
Oklahoma Baptist, competing as individuals, saw Taylor Hildebrand and Kadrian Shelton each post rounds of 83.
The second round begins at 7:30 a.m. with golfers from Harding and Northwestern Oklahoma State teeing off first.