Oklahoma Christian jumps to lead in NSU Classic
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (Sept. 14, 2015) – Oklahoma Christian wasted no time going to the front in its first women’s golf tournament as a full NCAA Division II member on Monday.
With senior Audrey Meisch and freshman Kate Goodwin 1-2 in the individual standings, OC raced to a six-shot lead after the first round of the Northeastern State Women’s Golf Classic at Cherokee Springs Golf Course.
Battling windy conditions, the Lady Eagles posted a team score of 301, with Rogers State in second and Southwestern Oklahoma State at 310. Host Northeastern State was fourth at 314, with OC’s Heartland Conference rival Newman (Kan.) fifth in the 18-team field at 315.
Meisch fired a 1-over-par 73 on the 5,806 yard course. She was 3-over after 15 holes, but closed with birdies on a pair of par-4 holes, No. 16 and No. 18. Goodwin, playing in her first collegiate tournament, also closed strong, with birdies on three of her final four holes to finish with a 74, tied with Elizabeth McCloskey of Rogers State and Baylee Price of Northeastern State.
OC juniors India Matthews and Allison Sell each shot a 77 and were tied for 12th in the 97-woman field. OC freshman Elizabeth Freeman shot a 78, recording three birdies during her round.
"Both freshmen played well," OC coach Greg Lynn said. "These girls work very hard and when they trust their preparation, they will have success. Now they have to do it again tomorrow."
OC will be paired Tuesday with golfers from Rogers State and Southwestern and will tee off from No. 1 at Cherokee Springs between 9:30 a.m. and 10:06 a.m.
Northeastern State landed in fourth place after the first round. The RiverHawks carded an opening-round score of 26-over-par 314 Monday to land 13 strokes behind leader Oklahoma Christian.
Junior Baylee Price shot led the field in par-5 scoring (-4) and is tied for second after shooting 2-over 74. True freshman Halie Wright is tied for eighth after carding a 4-over 76, and senior Charter Lawson is tied for 37th at 9-over 81.
True freshman Kelsey Lumpkin shot 11-over 83 to land T-52, while fellow true freshman Ebba Moberg is tied for 59th after shooting 13-over 85.
The RiverHawks are using three individuals, led by sophomore Fiona Hakanen who is tied for second after shooting 2-over 74. Senior Kayla Schroeder shot 3-over 75 and is tied for sixth. Redshirt freshman Kennedy Hudson carded a 17-over 89 to land in a tie for 77th.
17th ANNUAL NSU WOMEN’S CLASSIC – First Round Standings
September 14, 2015 at Tahlequah, Okla.
(par-72, 5,806-yard Cherokee Springs Golf Club)
Team Standings
1. Oklahoma Christian 301 (+13)
2. Rogers State 307 (+19)
3. Southwestern Oklahoma State 310 (+22)
4. Northeastern State 314 (+26)
5. Newman 315 (+27)
T6. Northwest Missouri State 321 (+33)
Henderson State 321 (+33)
8. Missouri Western State 323 (+35)
9. Arkansas-Fort Smith 327 (+39)
T10. Nebraska-Kearney 329 (+41)
East Central 329 (+41)
12. Southern Nazarene 330 (+42)
13. Oklahoma Baptist 334 (+46)
14. Central Missouri 335 (+47)
15. Fort Hays State 339 (+51)
16. Southwest Baptist 353 (+65)
17. Northwestern Oklahoma State 361 (+73)
18. Lincoln 391 (+103)
Top-5 Standings
1. Audrey Meisch (Oklahoma Christian) 73 (+1)
T2. Kate Goodwin (Oklahoma Christian) 74 (+2)
Fiona Hakanen (Northeastern State)* 74 (+2)
Elizabeth McCloskey (Rogers State) 74 (+2)
Baylee Price (Northeastern State) 74 (+2)