Lincoln - The Nebraska women's golf team finished in a tie for fourth place at the Big 12 Women's Golf Championships after firing a final-round 323 to finish the three-day tournament with 927 at the Country Club of Lincoln on Wednesday.
The Huskers entered the final round in a fourth place after rounds of 307 and 297, but dropped behind Colorado, which shot a final-round 311 to finish with 922, placing third. Texas A&M won the tournament with 899 (302-293-304), 11 strokes ahead of Oklahoma State, which finished with 910 (301-291-318).
"We were really disappointed with how we finished today," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "We had a good opportunity to finish higher, but the conditions were really tough today. Chrissie (McArdle) played fantastic today. But the goal was to win so we're a little disappointed."
Senior Stephanie Ruiz was Nebraska's top individual, placing 13th at 230. The Edmond, Okla., native shot 77 in the first round but came back to fire a 71 in the second round to leave her sitting in a tie for eighth at the end of the second round. Ruiz battled the windy conditions in Lincoln to shoot 82 in the final round, finishing 15 strokes behind Texas A&M's Ashley Knoll, who claimed the individual title with 215 (69-71-75).
Sophomore Allison Stewart shot 234 (77-76-81) to finish in a tie for 23rd. Sophomore Elli Brown entered the final round in a tie for fifth with rounds of 74 and 73, but struggled to shoot an 88 on Wednesday to finish in a tie for 26th.
McArdle fought back in the final round to shoot 76 after struggling the first two rounds, finishing with 237.
"It was a rough day for everyone, but I hit better today than the past two days," McArdle said. "I had a lot more chances today because I hit the ball better. I stayed in the fairways and that is really important on this course, so I did a much better job of that today."
Senior Sara Sackett rounded the day out for Nebraska, shooting 84 to finish 43rd with 240.
Big 12 Women's Golf Championships
April 17-19, 2006
Country Club of Lincoln
Lincoln, Neb.
Par 72, 6,167 Yards
Team Results
1. Texas A&M 302-293-304-899
2. Oklahoma State 301-291-318-910
3. Colorado 315-296-311-922
T4. Nebraska 307-297-323-927
T4. Missouri 313-287-327-927
6. Baylor 307-309-315-931
7. Texas 314-304-315-933
8. Iowa State 309-301-327-937
9. Kansas State 312-297-329-938
10. Oklahoma 317-301-322-940
11. Kansas 316-318-321-955
12. Texas Tech 309-319-338-966
Nebraska Individual Results
13. Stephanie Ruiz 77-71-82-230
T23. Allison Stewart 77-76-81-234
T26. Elli Brown 74-73-88-235
T33. Chrissie McArdle 81-80-76-237
43. Sara Sackett 79-77-84-240