Husker Trio in Top 15 at Big 12 Championships

Norman, Okla. - Senior JC Stevenson and sophomores Kayla Knopik and Madeleine Sheils all closed the first round of the 2010 Big 12 Championships in a tie for 13th at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club on Friday.

Stevenson (Grand Island, Neb.), Knopik (Papillion, Neb.) and Sheils (Boise, Idaho) all produced three-over-par rounds of 75 on the par-72, 6,327-yard layout in Norman, Okla., to help the Huskers close in a tie for seventh in the team standings through the first 18 holes.

"We played pretty well throughout the day, but we just weren't able to find that fourth score today," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "Kayla played great and JC and Maddie were pretty solid, but we just didn't finish strong down the stretch."

Through 15, Nebraska was in position to challege for Friday's second-best round behind Oklahoma State, which leads the 12-team field at 293. But on 16, 17 and 18, the Huskers went a combined nine-over-par to slip to a tie for seventh at 305, 12 strokes behind the Cowgirls.

Although NU slipped into a tie for seventh, the Huskers are just six strokes back of second-place Texas Tech (299).

Senior Charlotte Wendner, who has finished in the top 20 at the Big 12 Championships each of the past two seasons, managed a tie for 46th with an opening-round 80, while junior Mary Kate Bird sits in a tie for 56th with an 82.

"Charlotte hit the ball really well, but she struggled with her putting today," Krapfl said. "If she can sink some putts for us, and we continue to get solid play from JC, Kayla and Maddie, we'll have a chance to make a move tomorrow."

Oklahoma State's Victoria Park and Caroline Hedwall head into Saturday's second round in a tie for first at 70, while Texas Tech's Rosalyn Kim sits in third place at 71. OSU's Courtney McKim and Colorado's Emily Talley added even-par 72s to sit in a tie for fourth.

Saturday's second round begins with tee times starting at 8 a.m. Live scoring will be available at GolfStat.com.

2010 Big 12 Championships
April 23-25, Norman, Okla.
Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club
Par 72, 6,327 Yards

Team Standings (First Round)
1. Oklahoma State - 293
2. Texas Tech - 299
3. Iowa State - 300
T4. Colorado - 302
T4. Texas - 302
6. Kansas State - 303
T7. Nebraska - 305
T7. Texas A&M - 305
9. Oklahoma - 306
10. Missouri - 307
11. Baylor - 312
12. Kansas - 314

Individual Leaderboard
T1. Victoria Park, OSU - 70
T1. Carolina Hedwall, OSU - 70
3. Rosalyn Kim, Texas Tech - 71
T4. Courtney McKim, OSU - 72
T4. Emily Talley, Colorado - 72
6. Morgan Moon, Kansas State - 73
T7. P. Phuntumabamrung - 74
T7. Victorie Stefansen - 74
T7. Emily Houtz, Kansas State - 74
T7. Sara Zwartynski, Texas A&M - 74
T7. Michelle Morgan, Missouri - 74

Nebraska Individuals
T13. JC Stevenson - 75
T13. Madeleine Sheils - 75
T13. Kayla Knopik - 75
T46. Charlotte Wendner - 80
T56. Mary Kate Bird - 82