BEMIDJI, MN – The season-opening Tracy Lane Memorial Invitational went as well as it possibly could for the University of Mary women's golf team. Junior
Carrie Carmichael claimed the individual title at the event and led the Marauders to a team victory over eight other schools.
The Marauders took a three-stroke lead into the second day of competition. That lead grew to five strokes at the end of the invitational as UMary held off a significant second round improvement by University of Minnesota Crookston.
It was a big victory for the Marauders, who were picked to finish 9
th in the Northern Sun out of 12 teams. Of the teams competing in Bemidji, MN, two were projected to place above UMary in the conference.
"I'm incredibly proud of this team," said fourth-year head coach
Marion Hernandez. "They navigated the course well, event though they missed a few opportunities. It's a great start for us!"
Carmichael's individual title was the third of her collegiate career. With a round 1 score of 78 and a round 2 score of 82, the Williston, ND, athlete won by two strokes. Not too far behind was debuting freshman Annie Neva, who finished fifth with an overall score of 166.
"Carrie [Carmichael] played fantastic and continues to lead the way," Hernandez said. "Annie [Neva] had an impressive showing in her first collegiate tournament."
UMary's score of 342 in the second round consisted of Carmichael (82), Neva (84),
Grace Stroh (85), and
Abby Thelen (89).
The final team standings were as follows:
University of Mary: 673 (+97)
University of Minnesota Crookston: 678 (+102)
Minot State University: 680 (+104)
Concordia University, St. Paul: 681 (+105)
University of Jamestown: 701 (+125)
Bemidji State University – A: 722 (+146)
Concordia College – Moorhead: 753 (+177)
Minnesota State University Moorhead: 768 (+192)
Bemidji State University – B: 814 (+238)
Alexandria Technical and Community College: 855 (+279)
The team title is the first for UMary women's golf since Sept. 20, 2022, at the Marauder Tournament, which had three participating schools.
The Marauders will look to continue the momentum at the UJ Fall Invite in Jamestown, ND, on Sept. 16 and 17.
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