Upper Iowa's women's golf team opened up the 2019 fall season on September 3 and 4 with a fourteenth place finish at the Central Region Preview hosted by Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Blue Springs, Mo. The Peacocks put up rounds of 323 on Tuesday and followed with a 325 on day two of the preview shooting better than five other teams at the tournament.
MacKayla Olsen led the way for the Peacocks on both days of the Preview as she was the only Peacock to break 80 strokes, which she accomplished each round. Olsen shot a Peacock personal-best 73 on day one of the event and a 78 on day two of the event for a total of 151 strokes to place tied for fourteenth overall.
Brooke Knutson and Ilayna Long stayed consistent both shooting in the low 80s each round. Knutson shot an 81 on day one and an 85 on day two for a total of 166 strokes. Long shot an 81 on Tuesday and 82 on Wednesday for a total of 163 strokes. Long tied for 59th place while Knutson tied for 69th place.
Jaden Schweinefus and Molly Wenthold showed some major improvement during the preview cutting eight and seven strokes off of their day one scores, respectively. Schweinefus posted an 88 on day one and an 80 on day two for 168 total strokes, while Wenthold had a 92 on Tuesday and an 85 on Wednesday for a total of 177 strokes.
Central Missouri University won the team title with rounds of 303 and 299, while Henderson State University placed second just one stroke behind with rounds of 303 and 300. University of Nebraska - Kearney rounded out the top three holding off Southwestern Oklahoma State by a single stroke. Rosie Klausner of Central Missouri University claimed medalist honors with a 146 (75-71).
PEACOCK OF THE TOURNAMENT...
MacKayla Olsen had a career-best tournament after her 151 stroke performance. Her 73 strokes on Tuesday were a career-best for an individual round. Her previous career round low was 78 strokes and two-day total was 158.
QUOTABLE...
"The team had a solid start to the fall. We have two and a half weeks until our next event at SMSU and we have plenty to work on. I look forward to lower scores as we progress this fall. MacKayla finished tied for 14th and will learn from her play this week. I llook for her to be near the top of the field every week."
- Mike Lewis, Head Golf Coach
UP NEXT...
The Peacocks will compete in the Ramada Inn Mustang Invite hosted by Southern Minnesota State University at Marshall Golf Club in Marshall, Minn. on September 21 and 22.
