Women’s Golf Team finishes third in make up tournament
SAN ANGELO, Texas - The St. Edward's women's golf team improved on yesterday's performance, but could not move up in the tournament standings and finished in third-place in the San Angelo Invitational.
St. Edward's (319-307=626) had the best score on the day, but still lost by 18 strokes to tournament champion Angelo State (300-308=608). Tarleton State (303-311=614) had a shot at first place, but could not match yesterday's performances. West Texas A & M (320-319=639) and Western Texas Community College (332-323=655) rounded out the top five.
"Today was a lot better than yesterday," said St. Edward's Coach Jennifer McNeil.
Angelo State's Raelynn Smith (70-73=143) was the individual champion in the tournament. Tarleton State and Angelo State held all of the top four individual spots. Smith also had the most birdies on the day with six.
The St. Edward's team was led by freshman Melisa Gonzalez (78-75=153), who finished fifth after having the second-best score on the day behind Smith. Freshman Jacy Benites (78-76=154) and senior Emily Kvinta (75-79=154) tied for sixth. Sophomore Kirby Baker (88-77=165) improved greatly over the previous day to finish tied for 20th and senior Erin Redfield (90-87=177) finished 38th.
Baker's finish comes just a week after winning the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Tournament.
"She just had a rough day yesterday," McNeil said. "Everything she tried wasn't working, but she came out today and shot a lot better. It takes a lot to shoot like that after her performance yesterday."
In addition, junior Caitlin Locke (88-83=171), competing individually, finished 31st.
Kvinta led all competitors with 25 pars in the tournament, while Gonzalez tied for second with 24. Benites finished tied for sixth in pars with 21 and was fifth in birdies with four.
The tournament is the last fall tournament for the women's golf team. They will return to action in the spring.
"This has been one of our best Falls," McNeil said, noting that the team posted some of its best scores. "We've done a lot right, but there is still a lot we can work on in the offseason to push forward to Regionals in the Spring."