CLAREMORE, Okla. – Oklahoma City University built a four-shot lead through 18 holes of the Sooner Athletic Conference women’s golf championships April 18 at Heritage Hills Golf Course.
The Stars, ranked second in the NAIA, posted a 323 to take the first-day advantage in their bid for a 10th consecutive SAC title. Laura Jones of OCU shot a 77 to tie for the lead as she strives for her third SAC individual crown in a row.
Nathalia Valencia of Wayland Baptist (Texas) also shot a 77 to help the 16th-ranked Pioneers to a second-place 327.
Jones, a senior from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England, sank three birdies as OCU led the first round with seven birdies as a team. Conditions on the par-72, 6,082-yard course included 20 mph winds and temperatures that reached 74 degrees.
“We played fairly solid,” OCU coach Marty McCauley said. “It wasn’t our best round, but I’m proud of the girls for fighting until the end of the round. Hopefully tomorrow we can improve on our mistakes and take care of business.”
Paige Martin, a senior from Ardmore, Okla., turned in a fifth-place 80 for OCU. Martin compiled two birdies and nine pars. Madison Haley, a junior from El Reno, Okla., put herself in the hunt for all-conference honors with a sixth-place 82 for the Stars.
Tanya Tibshraeny, a sophomore from Westhaven, Kirkwood, South Africa, contributed an 84 for OCU. Mary Larsh, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., put together an 86.
The SAC Championships continue with an 8:30 a.m. tee time April 19.
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