HASTINGS, Minn. – In its final tuneup before the MIAC Championships, the Gustavus women’s golf team took second place out of 12 teams at the College City Challenge, hosted by Carleton College at Bellwood Oaks Golf Club. The Gusties fired a 313-332-645, which was 25 strokes behind the winner Carleton. St. Catherine took third with a 651 in a field with nine MIAC schools and Wartburg.
“Solid tournament for the women,” Head Coach Scott Moe said. “The course played tougher today so scores were a little bit higher. But in a very strong field the women hung on to finish strong.”
McKenzie Swenson (Sr., Buffalo, Minn.) led the team with a 76-78-154 to take sixth place out of 73 golfers – her second top-10 finish of the season. Ellie Brandt (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) tied for 16th with a 78-87-165, while Jessica Nelson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) and Morgan Bleyhl (So., Elk River, Minn.) tied for 20th with 82-84-166 and 83-83-166, respectively. Kristen Cash (So., Roseville, Minn.) rounded out the squad with a 77-90-167, tying for 23rd.
“McKenzie had a real solid tournament,” Moe said. “We are looking forward to competing at the conference meet in two weeks.”
The MIAC Championships take place Oct. 7-9 at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker, Minn.
Gusties did shine. Way to go.