Nebraska's Michaela Vavrova put together another solid round with a 73 on Saturday to slide up one spot on the leader board into a tie for 24th after 36 holes at the Big Ten Women's Golf Championship in Havre de Grace, Md.
The senior from Bojnice, Slovakia, recorded a trio of birdies along with 11 pars while managing four bogeys on the 6,314-yard, par-72 layout of the Bulle Rock Golf Course. Vavrova carries a two-round score of 147 (+3) in the 84-golfer field.
Miu Takahashi matched Vavrova's 73 to make a significant move up the leader board, climbing from a tie for 44th into a tie for 36th heading into Sunday's final round. The junior from Nasu-Machi, Japan, who carded three birdies, 11 pars and four bogeys on the day, owns a two-round total of 149 (+5).
Lindsey Thiele gave the Huskers a third 73 to count in the round, posting five birdies, seven pars and six bogeys. The senior from Wahoo, Neb., made Nebraska's biggest jump up the leader board - 15 spots into a tie for 56th.
Kelli Ann Strand crept up two spots in the standings with her second-round 74 on Saturday to end the day in a tie for 42nd at 150 (+6). The sophomore from Challis, Idaho, completed Nebraska's 293 (+5) second-round team total.
As a team, the Huskers moved up one spot into sole possession of ninth in the 14-team field with a two-round total of 594 (+18).
Lena Hassert (77) and Arden Louchheim (81) rounded out the Husker contingent on Saturday. Louchheim, a freshman from Park City, Utah, will head to Sunday's final round in a tie for 69th at 156 (+12) after contributing a counting score of 75 on Friday.
Hassert, a junior from Kreuzau, Germany, is tied for 73rd at 158 (+14).
Michigan State strengthened its hold on the top spot in the team standings with a 283 (-5) on Saturday to moved to 14-under 562 through two rounds. Indiana climbed into the No. 2 position with a second-round 285 (-3) after an opening-round 288. The Hoosiers sit 11 strokes back of the Spartans at 573 (-3).
Michigan remained in third with a second-round 286 (-2), 12 strokes back of its in-state rivals, while Northwestern slipped from second to fifth with a second-round 295 (+7). The Wildcats (582) head to the final 20 strokes behind the Spartans, and one stroke back of Purdue, which snuck up to fourth place at the end of the day with a second-round 289 to close at 581.
Michigan State has four golfers among the top seven in the individual standings, led by Katie Lu. Her 68 (-4) on Saturday put her in a tie with Indiana's Caroline Craig at 138 (-6) through 36 holes. Michigan's Monet Chun, who posted the day's best individual round with a 66 (-6) stormed into a tie for third with first-round co-leader Paula Balanzategui (Michigan State) at 139 (-5).
The final round of the Big Ten Championship is scheduled to begin with tee times off No. 1 (7 a.m. CT) and No. 10 (7:39 a.m. CT) on Sunday. Live scoring will be available on Huskers.com from GolfStat.
Big Ten Championship
April 19-21, 2024
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Bulle Rock Golf Course (Par 72, 6,314 Yards)
Team Standings (Second Round)
1. Michigan State - 279-283=562 (-14)
2. Indiana - 288-285=573 (-3)
3. Michigan - 288-287=575 (-1)
4. Purdue - 292-289=581 (+5)
5. Northwestern - 287-295=582 (+6)
6. Maryland - 298-287-585 (+9)
7. Ohio State - 298-288=586 (+10)
8. Wisconsin - 295-294=589 (+13)
9. Nebraska - 301-293=594 (+18)
10. Minnesota - 301-296=597 (+21)
T11. Illinois - 301-297=598 (+13)
T11. Iowa - 300-298=598 (+22)
13. Rutgers - 305-295=601 (+25)
14. Penn State - 310-294=604 (+28)
Individual Standings (Second Round)
T1. Katie Lu, Michigan State - 70-68=138 (-6)
T1. Caroline Craig, Indiana - 69-69=138 (-6)
T3. Monet Chun, Michigan - 73-66=139 (-5)
T3. Paula Balanzategui, Michigan State - 67-72=139 (-5)
5. Isabel Sy, Illinois - 70-70=140 (-4)
6. Lauryn Nguyen, Northwestern - 67-74=141 (-3)
T7. Kary Hollenbaugh, Ohio State - 75-68=143 (-1)
T7. Chloe Chan, Wisconsin - 74-69=143 (-1)
T7. Chloe Johnson, Indiana - 72-71=143 (-1)
T7. Nicha Kanpai, Maryland - 71-72=143 (-1)
T7. Leila Raines, Michigan State - 71-72=143 (-1)
T7. Valentina Rossi, Michigan State - 71-72=143 (-1)
Nebraska Individuals
T24. Michaela Vavrova - 74-73-147 (+3)
T36. Miu Takahashi - 76-73=149 (+5)
T42. Kelli Ann Strand - 76-74=150 (+6)
T56. Lindsey Thiele - 80-73=153 (+9)
T69. Arden Louchheim - 75-81=156 (+12)
T73. Lena Hassert - 81-77=158 (+14)