SWOSU fourth, NSU ninth in Rattler Invitational

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Southwestern Oklahoma State’s women’s golf team couldn’t gain any ground on the teams in front of them on Tuesday despite shaving 11 strokes off of their opening round score and notched a fourth-place finish at the Lady Rattler Invitational in the first event of the spring season.

Gloria Choi and Emily Folsom matched each other round for round in the tournament, shooting a 78 in the opening round and finishing with a 75 in the second round, good enough for a tie of 10th place for the event overall.

Chloe Thackeray, a day after tying Choi and Folsom’s round one score, dropped one stroke off of her second round total and finished tied for 13th place. Elin Wahlin and Tracy McGill also both improved upon their opening round totals, dropping a combined 10 strokes between the pair in the final 18 holes.

Dallas Baptist claimed the tournament victory, beating the field by 28 strokes with a 590 (+14) team total through two rounds of golf. Johany Rivera of St. Edwards University was the individual champion of the event, shooting an even par 144 in two days including a one-under 71 on Tuesday.

Northeastern State finished ninth and Rogers State tenth.

Northeastern State improved by seven strokes and climbed up three spots. The RiverHawks shot a 647 (327-320) in the two round event with Kelsey Lumpkin pacing the team in the final 18-holes with a 74 which was tied for the fifth lowest score.  Ebba Moberg was the team’s highest finisher with a 157 (75-82) and was tied for 18th overall; Lumpkin was two strokes behind (85-74) tied for 27th place.

Lexi Armon had a 165 (83-82), Sumie Francois was a shot back (84-82), and Fiona Hakanen scored a 178 (88-90) to make up NSU’s results in their spring opener.

Dallas Baptist left as the team winner by 18 shots with a 590 (294-296) and St. Edward’s Johany Rivera was the individual medalist carding a 144 (73-71).

Northeastern State will be on the West Coast next on Feb. 26-27 to play in The Lancer Joust in Jurupa Valley, Calif.