Huskers in Hunt at Big 12 Championships

Austin, Texas - The Nebraska women's golf team fired a solid score of 305 to put itself in the hunt after the first round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament on The University of Texas Golf Course on Friday.

The Huskers closed the opening 18 holes on the par-72, 6,323-yard layout in Austin, Texas, just 10 strokes behind first-round leaders Oklahoma State.  The Cowgirls fired a 295 in the first round, while the hosts from Texas were just two strokes back at 297 on the Longhorns' home course.

Nebraska enters the second round in a three-way tie for third with Baylor and Texas Tech at 305, one stroke ahead of sixth-place Missouri.

True freshman Elli Brown led the Huskers with a two-over par 74 to end the first day of competition in a tie for seventh place.  The Meridian, Idaho, native shot a career-low, two-under par 70 in the first round of the Betsy Rawls Invitational on March 11 on the same course. Brown found herself at  two-under par again with three holes to play, but finished four-over on the final three holes to settle for 74.

Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said several Huskers were unable to finish otherwise excellent rounds with strong results on the final holes, which would have put NU in even better position heading into the second day of competition.

"I am pleased that we are in third place and in contention, but we could have played even better today," Krapfl said.  "We gave some shots away at the end of our rounds, that turned what could have been a great round into just a good round.  That being said, I am still excited about our first day.  The team has a great attitude, and they are ready to come out and get it going tomorrow."

Sophomore Chrissie McArlde added a four-over par 76 to sit in a tie for 16th place heading into the second day of competition.  Junior Jackie Beste contributed a five-over par 77 to give the Huskers three golfers in the top 20, by tying for 20th place.

Senior Merynn Ito pitched in a six-over par 78 to round out the Husker scorers on Friday in a tie for 26th place.  Junior Sara Sackett finished with an 81, which did not count toward Nebraska's team score.

Colorado's Allison Rella and Oklahoma State's Annie Thurman-Young sit atop the leaderboard after the first round, as both competitors shot a two-under par 70 in the opening round.

The tournament continues with an 18-hole second round on Saturday, with tee times set for 8 a.m.  The event will conclude with 18 more holes on Sunday beginning at 8 a.m.

Big 12 Championships
April 22-24
University of Texas
The University of Texas Golf Course
6,323 Yards, Par 72

Team Standings (Through First Round)
1. Oklahoma State - 295
2. Texas - 297
T3. Nebraska - 305
T3. Baylor - 305
T3. Texas Tech - 305
6. Missouri - 306
7. Colorado - 307
8. Texas A&M - 310
9. Kansas - 311
10. Oklahoma - 314
11. Iowa State - 317
12. Kansas State - 320

Nebraska Individual Results
T7. Elli Brown - 74
T16. Chrissie McArdle - 76
T20. Jackie Beste - 77
T26. Merynn Ito - 78
T47. Sara Sackett - 81