Kelli Ann Strand finished in a tie for sixth with a six-under-par 210 following a final-round 72 to lead the Nebraska women's golf team at the UCF Challenge in Orlando on Monday.
Strand, a sophomore from Challis, Idaho, earned her second top-10 finish and fourth top-15 performance through five tournaments this season. Her effort in the 96-player field helped Nebraska to a tie for 14th in an 18-team field that featured 16 top-100 teams.
The Huskers produced their best round of the tournament with a 289 (+1), including an even-par 72 from Miu Takahashi, who closed the tournament at 219 (+3) to tie for 45th.
Andrea Velez added a 72 of her own for the Huskers to climb into a tie for 84th individually at 229 (+13).
Lindsey Thiele completed Nebraska's team score in the five-count-four format with a one-over-par 73. Thiele ended the tournament tied for 72nd at 227 (+11).
Arden Louchheim rounded out NU's five-player lineup in a tie for 80th at 228 (+12) after a final-round 75 (+3). She matched teammate Sydney Harz (228), who was competing as an individual outside the Husker lineup.
North Carolina won the team title at 846 (-18), five strokes ahead of Kansas at 851. Miami took third at 853, while the hosts from UCF, the College of Charleston and Northwestern all tied for fourth at 856 (-8).
Texas Tech's Lauren Zaretsky captured medalist honors with a three-round total of 203 (-13), while UCF's Molly Smith took second at 206 (-10). Lily Hirst from Kansas finished third at 207 (-9).
The Huskers return to action at the Spartan Sun Coast Invitational in Sarasota, Fla. (Feb. 18-19).
UCF Challenge
Feb. 3-5, 2024
Orlando, Fla.
Eagle Creek Golf Card (Par 72/6,367 Yards)
Final Team Standings
1. (28) North Carolina - 279-280-287=846 (-18)
2. (46) Kansas - 287-285-279=851 (-13)
3. (48) Miami - 287-280-286=853 (-11)
T4. (78) College of Charleston - 282-289-285=856 (-8)
T4. (13) UCF - 290-284-282=856 (-8)
T4. (14) Northwestern - 290-284-282=856 (-8)
7. (35) Kentucky - 286-293-283=862 (-2)
8. (37) Virginia Tech - 289-289-286=864 (E)
9. (29) Michigan State - 293-287-287=867 (+3)
T10. (51) Iowa State - 298-286-284=868 (+4)
T10. (57) Kent State - 291-290-286=868 (+4)
T12. (99) UNCW - 290-286-296=872 (+8)
T12. (36) North Texas - 298-286-288=872 (+8)
T14. (52) Texas Tech - 293-294-291=878 (+14)
T14. (61) Nebraska - 295-294-289=878 (+14)
16. (108) Penn State - 302-295-286=883 (+19)
17. (97) Old Dominion - 308-304-290=902 (+38)
18. (125) Central Arkansas - 307-305-298=910 (+46)
Final Individual Standings
1. Lauren Zaretsky, Texas Tech - 64-71-68=203 (-13)
2. Molly Smith, UCF - 68-68-70=206 (-10)
3. Lily Hirst, Kansas - 68-71-68=207 (-9)
T4. Sara Byrne, Miami - 70-70-69=209 (-7)
T4. Megan Streicher, North Carolina - 64-72-73=209 (-7)
T6. Veronika Kedronova, Kent State - 72-71-67=210 (-6)
T6. Kelli Ann Strand, Nebraska - 70-68-72=210 (-6)
T8. Kayla Smith, North Carolina - 72-69-70=211 (-5)
T8. Katie Lu, Michigan State - 70-70-71=211 (-5)
T8. Adrian Anderson, College of Charleston - 68-72-71=211 (-5)
Nebraska Individuals
T6. Kelli Ann Strand - 70-68-72=210 (-6)
T45. Miu Takahashi - 73-74-72=219 (+3)
T72. Lindsey Thiele - 79-75-73=227 (+11)
T80. Arden Louchheim - 73-80-75=228 (+12)
*T80. Sydney Harz - 77-78-73=228 (+12)
T84. Andrea Velez - 80-77-72=229 (+13)
*competing as an individual outside Nebraska's lineup