UNK Sports
Peter Yazvac, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
KEARNEY – The Nebraska-Kearney women’s golf team shot a 36-hole total of 655 to tie for second place at the annual Holiday Inn Express Classic Tuesday in St. Joseph, Mo.
The two-day, 14-team event was held at the par 72 St. Joseph Country Club.
Weather conditions were tough on Monday and thus the average round was an 89.40 with only two teams shooting below a 330. Things warmed up a bit on Tuesday and the individual score dropped almost two full strokes (87.90) with six squads below a 330.
One of those was UNK who carded a 319 after a 336 on day one. That helped the Lopers tie Division II newcomer Oklahoma Baptist (331-324) for second with NAIA member William (Mo.) Woods the runaway winner with a 633 (321-312). Thanks to its rally, the Loperscame in ahead of Central Missouri (658) and tourney host Missouri Western State (661), among others.
Individually, Utah senior Samantha Crawford was the runner up thanks to an 11-over 155 (82-73). She tied for the tourney lead in birdies (five), had 18 pars and was just 1-over on par 5 holes. Katie Warren of WWU was the medalist with a 3-over 147 (73-74). She amassed 28 pars and three birdies over the two days.
Crawford now has the most career rounds (five) of 73 or better in school history; UNK Hall of Famer Carla Dobchuk (’01) had four such efforts.
Also for Kearney, Beemer freshman Lacie Fox tied for 15th (163; 82-81), McCook senior Breanna Redl tied for 22nd (166; 86-80), Doniphan sophomore Brandi Lemek tied for 36th (171; 86-85) and California junior Danielle Dickerson tied for 45th (173; 86-87). Finally, Ogallala junior Maaika Mestl played as an individual and tied for 50th (176; 84-92).
Kearney hosts its annual spring tournament this Saturday and Sunday (March 24-25) at Awarii Dunes in Axtell.