HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Competing against some of the best teams in the country, the Gustavus women’s golf team sits in a tie for fourth place after round one at the NCAA Division III Preview, which is being played at Mission Inn Resort. The Gusties fired a first round 325, which is 27 strokes behind the leader New York University. Carnegie Mellon is in second place at 322 and Washington and Lee is in third at 323.
“Yesterday we had a great practice round and it continued that way for us today,” Assistant Coach Randy Stuckey said. “It is a good start but we’re also aware of the rest of the field is within a few shots. We’re just halfway and have to finish tomorrow.”
McKenzie Swenson (Sr., Buffalo, Minn.) and Jessica Nelson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) both shot an 80 and are tied for 16th out of 77 golfers. Morgan Bleyhl (So., Elk River, Minn.) is tied for 23rd after shooting an 81, while Ellie Brandt (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) is tied for 37th at 84 and Kristen Cash (So., Roseville, Minn.) is tied for 52nd with an 86.
“It’s been amazing that this place has been able to host this tournament,” Stuckey said of Mission Inn Resort. “They have dealt with hurricane damage and their hospitality has been incredible under the circumstances. We are fortunate to be able to play golf.”
The NCAA Preview concludes tomorrow with the second round.
