Huskers Open Big Lead after Two Rounds at Chip-N Club Invitational

Lincoln - The Nebraska women's golf team fired the lowest round of the day and its lowest round of the season with a 297 in the second round to storm into a 24-stroke lead after two rounds at the Chip-N Club Invitational at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club Monday afternoon.

The Huskers, who entered the second round of the day in a tie with Big 12 Conference rival Kansas State at 307, shot a sizzling 297 thanks in part to senior captain Stephanie Schaefer's career-low 69. Schaefer's 3-under par round catapulted her from 10th place into sole possession of the lead at 146. Schaefer is two strokes ahead of Kansas State's Christine Boucher, who fired rounds of 76 and 72 for a two-round score of 148.

Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said she was excited to see her team produce a strong score under difficult conditions.

"I was just waiting for them to have a breakthrough round," Krapfl said. "To shoot a 297 as a team under those conditions is just a fantastic score. The players had to battle a pretty stiff wind throughout the day, and then it becomes a bit of a mental battle to play 36 holes and stay focused. I think it is just a great reward for all the effort that they have put in so far this season."

Krapfl said she was especially pleased with Schaefer's second-round performance.

"I am so proud of her," Krapfl said. "No one deserves to shoot a great round as much as Steph Schaefer. She has put in so much time and so much work to continually improve her game, and she saw all that work pay off today. It is very gratifying. I'm just so happy for her."

Schaefer isn't the only Husker in the hunt for the individual title. Junior Merynn Ito added a second round 77, to her opening round 72 to sit three strokes behind Schaefer in third place at 149. Sophomore Jackie Beste gave the Huskers three individuals in the top five with rounds of 78 and 75 to enter the final round in fifth place at 153. Juniors Sara Sackett and Stephanie Ruiz rounded out Nebraska's top five by tying for 14th place through two rounds at 158.

The Husker "White" team also climbed a spot in the team standings to move into sole possession of 10th place. Freshman Andrea Dunagan (81-78-159) produced the top round of the day for the Whites to enter the final day in a tie for 18th place overall.

The 54-hole tournament concludes with the final round on Tuesday with tee times set for 8 a.m.

Chip-N Club Invitational
Wilderness Ridge Golf Club
Lincoln, Neb.
5,933 yards - Par 72

Results (1st-2nd-Total)
1. Nebraska - 307-297-604
2. Denver - 308-320-628
    Kansas State - 307-321-628
4. Nevada - 315-316-631
    Iowa State - 313-318-631
6. Illinois State - 313-324-637
7. Oral Roberts - 326-321-647
8. Southwest Missouri State - 334-328-662
9. North Texas - 325-339-664
10. Nebraska White - 337-328-665
11. Wichita State - 330-339-669
12. Creighton - 341-337-678

Top 15 Individuals
1. Stephanie Schaefer, Nebraska - 77-69-146
2. Christine Boucher, Kansas State - 76-72-148
3. Merynn Ito, Nebraska - 72-77-149
4. Louise Kenney, Iowa State - 71-81-152
5. Jackie Beste, Nebraska - 78-75-153
6. Samantha Richdale - Illinois State - 74-80-154
    Cindy Whitmore, Iowa St. - 76-78-154 (Individual)
8. Leanne Owens, Iowa State - 78-77-155
    Jennie Peek, Denver 75-80-155
10. Erin Long, Nevada - 77-79-156
     Nicole deGennaro, Nevada 82-74-156
      Emily Hoeper, Denver - 77-79-156
13. Kate Waggoner, Denver - 76-81-157
14. Christi Athas, Iowa State - 79-79-158
     Helene Robert, Kansas State - 74-84-158
    Sara Sackett, Nebraska - 82-76-158
   Stephanie Ruiz, Nebraska - 80-78-158