Huskers Start Cold in Colorado

Highlands Ranch, Colo. - The Nebraska women's golf team got off to a slow start in the first round of a rainy and cold Ron Moore Intercollegiate on Monday, but the Huskers still sit in the middle of a 13-team field in a tie for seventh after the first 18 holes.

"Today was one of the tougher days we have ever played in," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "It was about 30 degrees at the start of the round and we played in sleet for three or four holes. It rained the entire time we were on the course, so it definitely was a character-builder out there today."

Nebraska closed the first round in a tie for seventh with Wyoming at 320, leading the bottom half of the field. Illinois sits in sixth place at 311, just one shot back of fifth-place Iowa State (310).

The hosts from Denver lead the tournament after an opening-round 298 on the 6,483-yard, par-72 layout at the Highlands Ranch Golf Club. The Pioneers own a one shot lead over Baylor (299) and a two-stroke edge over UC Davis (300).

"You have to give Denver, Baylor and UC Davis credit for putting together the rounds they did today in those conditions," Krapfl said. "They managed to stay focused and make shots in some extremely challenging conditions."

UC Davis' Alice Kim posted the best individual score of the day with a one-under-par 71, while Baylor's Hannah Burke produced an even-par 72. BU's Lene Hafsten-Morch and UC Davis' Chelsea Stelzmiller each added rounds of 73 to tie for third, while Denver's top three of Kimberly Kim, Sue Kim and Stephanie Sherlock all sit in a tie for fifth at 74.

Nebraska received its best round of the day from junior Mary Kate Bird, who managed a 79, while senior JC Stevenson and sophomore Natalie Gleadall each settled for rounds of 80. Freshman Erin Sharpee, who was making her first career appearance in the NU lineup, posted the Huskers' final score with an 81 that included a 37 over her final nine holes.

Sophomore Maddie Sheils added an 83 as the fifth player in the Husker lineup, while junior Rachel Hanigan notched an 82 while playing as an individual outside of the NU lineup.

"Overall I hope we learned that no matter what the conditions, you can't give up on your shots and you have to stay focused on the game," Krapfl said. "I think it will be a really good learning experience for our young players, and we'll come out and make some adjustments tomorrow."

The Huskers will hit the course for the second round of the Ron Moore Intercollegiate on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Live scoring for the tournament is available from GolfStat.com.

Ron Moore Intercollegiate
Host: Denver
Highlands Ranch Golf Club
Par 72, 6,483 Yards
Sept. 21-23

Team Standings (First Round)
1. Denver - 298
2. Baylor - 299
3. UC Davis - 300
4. North Texas - 308
5. Iowa State - 310
6. Illinois - 311
T7. Nebraska - 320
T7. Wyoming - 320
T9. Columbia - 322
T9. New Mexico State - 322
11. UALR - 331
12. Montana State - 338
13. Northern Colorado - 341

Individual Leaderboard (First Round)
1. Alice Kim, UC Davis - 71
2. Hannah Burke, Baylor - 72
T3. Lene Hafsten-Morch, Baylor - 73
T3. Chelsea Stelzmiller, UC Davis - 73
T5. Kimberly Kim, Denver - 74
T5. Sue Kim, Denver - 74
T5. Stephanie Sherlock, Denver - 74
8. Pennapa Pulsawath, Iowa State - 75
T9. Sarah Faller, Denver - 76
T9. Jaclyn Jansen, Baylor - 76
T9. Jordan Rose, North Texas - 76

Nebraska Individuals
T25. Mary Kate Bird - 79
T34. Natalie Gleadall - 80
T34. JC Stevenson - 80
T42. Erin Sharpee - 81
T47. Rachel Hanigan (I) - 82
T52. Maddie Sheils - 83

(I) - playing as an individual outside of Nebraska's lineup