Spartans in 7th after Opening Weekend of IIAC

Sep 28, 2012

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Five-time defending champion Wartburg College fired a 312 team total Saturday at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course and extended its lead to 16 strokes at the midway point of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Women's Golf Championships.

Luther College fired a 318 and sits second at 635. Central College (332-331--663) holds a two-stroke edge over Loras College (334-331--665) for third place, while Simpson College (328-347--675) is fifth. Coe College (357-356--713), the University of Dubuque (352-363--715) and Buena Vista University (371-365--736) round out the team scoring.

The Knights have all five players ranked 11th or higher in the medalist standings after 36 holes. Senior Kelsi Sawatzky (74-78), the 2010 IIAC medalist, has a share of the individual lead with Loras' Abby Potts (75-77) at 8-over-par 152. Samantha Heinen (79-75) is two shots back at 154, followed by Taylor Roberts (77-79) in fifth at 156, Molly McDonough (77-81) in eighth at 158 and Morgan McMillan (80-80) tied for 11th at 160. Heinen had the low round of the day Saturday with a 3-over 75.

Day one leader Jennifer Gaffney (72-82) posted an 82 Saturday and is tied with Heinen for third place. Luther has three individuals in the top 10 with Katie Gaudian (81-76) tied for sixth at 157 and Laura Davis (79-80) and Annika Ring (78-81) tied for ninth at 159. Central's Kelsey Van Tasell (77-80) rounds out the top 10 tied for sixth at 157.

The Championship concludes October 5-6 with 36 holes at Bos Landen Golf Club near Pella. Friday's round begins at 9 a.m. with teams paired by their 36-hole team scores. Dubuque and Buena Vista will tee off in the first wave followed by Loras, Simpson and Coe in the second wave. The top three teams on the leaderboard -- Wartburg, Luther and Central -- will go off in the third and final wave.

IOWA CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS at Cedar Falls, Iowa (Pheasant Ridge G.C., par 72)
1. Wartburg, 307-312--619
2. Luther, 317-318--635
3. Central 332-331--663
4. Loras, 334-331--665
5. Simpson, 328-347--675
6. Coe, 357-356--713
7. Dubuque, 352-363--715
8. Buena Vista, 371-365--736.

DUBUQUE (715)
t16. Lauren Smith, 84-87--171
t23. Dionna Jensen, 88-90--178
 28. Alisha Terry, 87-94--181
 33. Nikole Blewett, 93-92--185
 37. Lauren Allen, 100-96--196