Jackets Continue Play at NCAA Regional

LAKE CITY, Minn. – Montana State Billings senior women’s golfer, Amy Nordeen, currently is tied for seventh at the NCAA Division II Central Regional at The Jewell Golf Course hosted by Minnesota State Mankato.  Nordeen fired an 82 on Monday on the par 72, 6,135-yard course.  As a team, the Yellowjackets carded a second round score of 333 and are ninth in the team standings.

“I thought everyone played well today,” head coach Shawn O’Brien said.  “We did some really good things and I am looking forward to tomorrow.  I think our putting could still improve and help us with a few strokes.  We improved by seven today and hope we can improve by a few more tomorrow.  This has been a great tournament and I know the women are excited to get out there and compete.”

Augustana College (SD) continues to lead the team standings with a 643, 36-hole score and a 322 on Monday.  Western New Mexico sits in second after carding a 326 in the second round preceded by a 329 on Sunday.  The host Mavericks are in third after a 334 Monday for a 657 score.

Concordia-St. Paul is fourth (659), followed by Winona State at 661.  The final four teams are separated by a combined six strokes with Mesa State and Southwest Minnesota State tied with a 667, while Upper Iowa is eighth with a 669 score and MSUB is ninth at 673. 

Individually, Emily Kvidera of Augustana continues to lead the 49-player field.  She carded an opening round 73 and followed with a 79 Monday.  Sara Wissing of Nebraska-Kearney made a big jump as she went from tied for sixth to second with a 76 in the second round and a 156 score.  Kassie Ellsworth of Minnesota State is third with a 158 score, while MSUB’s Amy Nordeen is tied for seventh with a 160 score. 

Nordeen currently is one stroke behind Jill Preeshl of Upper Iowa and is the third player among teams not in the top three in the standings.  The top three individuals from non-advancing teams also earn berths in the NCAA Championships along with the top three teams.  The NCAA Championships are scheduled for May 12-15 at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz., and is s a 72-hole tournament.     

Libby Rutz fired the low score of the round for the Yellowjackets Monday with an 80 after carding a 97 Monday.  She is tied for 42nd with a 177 score.  Kalli Stanhope fired an 84 Monday and is tied for 19th with a 164 score, while Erin Heaney shot an 87 for a 175 score. 

“It was nice to be able to contribute to my team after a bad day yesterday,” Rutz said.  “We all are pretty good at balancing each other out.  We are really looking forward to tomorrow.”

Freshman Liz Tikriti started her round two-under through three holes, but took a 14 on the fourth hole, but stayed mentally strong and finished the round with a 91 and is 47th entering the final round with a 186 score. 

“I thought Liz (Tikriti) kept her composure and fought through a very difficult situation as she got in trouble on the fourth hole,” head coach Shawn O’Brien said.  “Prior to that hole, she was 2-under and went 1-over on her next four holes.  Without the 14, she would have been around 10-over for the round and I am pleased she continued to fight and came out with a 91.” 

The second round will be played tomorrow and the final round is scheduled for Tuesday.  Fans can follow the action with live stats by logging on to http://golfstatresults.com//public/leaderboards/player/static/player1844.html.  In addition a link to the tournament page can be found by visiting the home for Yellowjacket athletics, www.msubillings.edu/athletics.