Roller is co-medalist, TU fourth, OSU sixth at Veritex Bank Collegiate

Complete results:

DALLAS, Texas – Claiming the first individual crown of her collegiate career, Jenni Roller earned a share of the title while the Tulsa women’s golf team earned a fourth-place finish at the Veritex Bank Collegiate. Oklahoma State finished sixth.

Following the best round of her career, Roller continued to shine on the tournament’s final day. After shooting a 68 in the second round, she shot a 3-under-par 69 on the third day. She finished the tournament tied for first with Houston’s Moa Svedenskiold at 6-under par, 210. This is Roller’s first tournament victory and the third top-ten finish of her career.

Roller three-putted the 17th hole for bogey to fall two shots behind Svedenskiold, playing in the final group together. After a good drive on the par-4 18th, she asked TU assistant coach Leah if she was out of the individual race. Herzog told her she needed to birdie the final hole to have a chance.

“I’ve got this,” Roller replied.

She then knocked her approach shot to inside 15 feet and drained the birdie putt to move back to 6-under. Svedenskiold missed a 3-foot putt for par for a two-shot swing and the tie at the top.

“I’m so proud of Jenni for the work she’s put in and the changes she has made to her lifestyle, practice habits, everything she is doing to really focus in, get better and be a leader for us,” said TU coach Mike Roters. “I told her last fall that she was definitely going to win this year and I’m not sure she believed me. She had a great ballstriking week and combined with her great hands and touch, there she is. It was great to see her hard work get rewarded.”

On the final day, the Hurricane shot 4-over-par 292. For the event, TU was 13-over 877 to finish fourth. Houston claimed the crown as it shot 5-over 869. Tulsa could have used a stronger finish in its bid to make an NCAA Regional, as it now is basically in the position of having to win the American Athletic Conference championship next Monday through Wednesday at Southern Hills Plantation in Brookville, Fla., to advance.

Finishing in a tie for 15th was Romaine Masserey. Entering the final round at even-par, Masserey was shot 76 in the final round. Sydney Seigel shot 77 to finish tied for 30th.

Lovisa Gunnar closed with a 72 to move up 11 spots and finish at 11-over 227. Allyn Stephens shot 75 to finish tied for 39th at 228.

Oklahoma State closed out its regular season with a sixth-place finish.  The Cowgirls carried the momentum from Monday’s second round into Tuesday with four of the six golfers posting their best scores of the tournament. OSU climbed three spots in the team standings — past Iowa, Boston College and Tarleton State — and finished 17 shots back of champion, Houston, with a total score of 886 (+22).

“It was good to see the team come back with a couple of solid rounds after a disappointing first round,” head coach Greg Robertson said. “We leave for the Big 12 Championship this coming weekend, so it will be a quick turnaround.  We’re excited about the post-season coming up and are looking forward to a few good days of preparation.”

Junior Grace Kilcrease led the Pokes, finishing in a tie for 11^th at 3-over par. In addition to the top 15 finish, Kilcrease also went bogey-free on the day, firing a 1-under 71 and rattling off 17 pars, with her sole bridie coming on the par-4 18^th.

Following an injury that held her out of fall competition, Marta Silchenko has continued to make waves this spring. She finished the tournament in a tie for 19^th at 5-over.

Matching Silchenko’s final score was freshman Tarapath Panya, who birdied five of her first nine holes on the way to the second-best finish of her young career.

Thitaporn Saithip and Summer Lee both finished 13-over for the tournament and tied for 42^nd.

Freshman Lucy Darr, competing individually this week, earned the highest placement of her collegiate career with a tie for 24^th. Darr went 2-over for the day, netting four birdies.

The Cowgirls return to action Tuesday at the Big 12 Championship at The Club at Houston Oaks in Hockley, Texas.

TEAM SCORES