HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – The Gustavus women’s golf team concluded play at the NCAA Division III Preview on Monday, taking eighth place out 14 teams in a nationally ranked field. The Gusties posted a 325-330-655, which was 49 strokes behind the winner New York University. Carnegie Mellon took second with a 639 and Washington and Lee placed third with a 641. Arisa Kimura of New York and Jorie Hodapp of Berry College shared medalist honors by scoring 148.
Jessica Nelson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) led the Gusties with an 80-82-162 (+16), tying for 23rd out of 77 golfers. McKenzie Swenson (Sr., Buffalo, Minn.) tied for 30th with an 80-84-164. Morgan Bleyhl (So., Elk River, Minn.) carded an 81-84-165 to tie for 33rd, Kristen Cash (So., Roseville, Minn.) posted an 86-80-166 to tie for 37th and Ellie Brandt (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) tied for 55th with an 84-87-171. Cash had the best second round for the Gusties, improving on her first round score by six strokes, while tallying four birdies Monday.
“We weren’t as sharp as we played yesterday by five strokes but several teams in the field had a good day on the course,” Assistant Coach Randy Stuckey said. “Wish we could’ve held our fourth place start but the girls worked hard to bring in their score. This tournament should give them confidence because it was a field of nationally ranked teams.”
The Gusties are back on the link Saturday and Sunday at the Carleton Invitational, which is the last meet of the fall season before the MIAC Championships Oct. 7-9.
