NSU finishes third, UCO fourth, Rogers State sixth in Central Region Preview
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Northeastern State turned in its best round of the fall season and climbed up two spots on the leaderboard to finish in third place at the Central Region Preview Tuesday. The University of Central Oklahoma was fourth and Rogers State placed sixth. Central Missouri was the team champion with a 593, beating Arkansas Tech by two strokes.
The RiverHawks were tied with Arkansas Tech for the lowest round of the day with a 7-over 295 score, finishing the 36-hole tournament with a 597.
Yasmin Hang paced the RiverHawks Tuesday with a 1-under round of 71 and tied with teammate Kaylee Petersen with a 146 score. The pair finished tied for sixth place. Aitana Hernandez shot a steady 1-over and moved up 21 spots on the leaderboard, placing her tied for 18th overall with a 151 (78-73). Nina Lee carded a 154 (79-75) and was tied for 31st, Macy Rutland scored a 163 (82-81) and was tied for 69th place.
“I’m proud of the way we competed and showed toughness collectively as a team today,” said head coach Scott Varner. “If we compete and finish tournaments like this going forward, we will be back to winning soon.”
Susana Olivares and Emma Shelley had top-10 individual finishes to lead Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos shot a final-round 304 to finish with a 599 total after two trips around the 5,948-yard, par-72 Hot Springs County Club. Central Missouri won the 19-team tournament at 593, followed by Arkansas Tech (595), Northeastern State (597) and UCO.
Olivares closed with a 75 and Shelley had a 77 as the two tied for eighth in the medalist standings with 147 totals. Madison O’Dell and Taylor Towers both shot 76, while Mika Ramos had an 81.
“Everybody competed hard, but we didn’t play as well as we did yesterday,” head coach Michael Bond said. “We just made a few too many mistakes. Overall it was a good tournament for us and I like the direction we’re headed.”
The Bronchos finish their four-tournament fall schedule next week with a trip to Jekyll Island, Ga. For the Jekyll Island Invitational.
Rogers State was led by Lydia Sitorus in a three-way tie for third after shooting 145. She logged seven birdies for the tournament.
Jessica Green was next in a five-way tie for 23rd with a 152. Kristin Gudmundsdottir finished in a five-way tie for 31st with a 154. Ellen Loving finished in a four-way tie for 41st with a card of 156). Jaelynn Unger rounded out the group in a four-way tie for 65th after shooting 162.
The Hillcats will be back in action on Monday, Oct. 25 as they return home to prepare to host the Tulsa Cup.
Southwest Oklahoma State placed ninth, Oklahoma Baptist 10th, Southern Nazarene 17th and Northwestern Oklahoma State 18th in the 19-team field.