FRANKSTON, Texas — The Nebraska Wesleyan University women's golf team wrapped up its appearance at the Goliath Compression Invitational on Tuesday, concluding a two-day, 36-hole event at Pine Dunes Resort with a seventh-place finish in a seven-team field.
The Prairie Wolves posted rounds of 368 and 365 for a 733 (+157) team total, showing modest improvement from day one to day two in what was a challenging week on a demanding Texas layout.
East Texas Baptist captured the team title at 637 (+61), finishing four shots clear of runner-up and tournament host LeTourneau University, which posted a 641. The gap between the field's top programs and the rest of the leaderboard was significant throughout the event.
On the individual side, Northwestern-St. Paul's Paige Johnson carried her first-round lead all the way to medalist honors, posting a nine-over 153 for the 36-hole tournament, a three-stroke margin over LeTourneau's Kinley Pessel, who finished as runner-up.
HOW IT HAPPENED
For Nebraska Wesleyan, the most consistent performer over the two days was junior O'Brasia Amos, who paced the Prairie Wolves on the individual leaderboard. Amos carded an 89 in Monday's opening round before coming back with an 88 in Tuesday's final round, a 16-over effort that demonstrated her ability to steady herself after a difficult start. She finished the tournament at 177 (+33), good for a tie for 31st on the final individual leaderboard.
Haley Blackstone and Lauren Hays each finished the tournament in a tie for 37th at 180 (+36). Blackstone's tournament was defined by a strong opening round. She posted an 86 on Monday, before a 94 in Tuesday's final round. Hays took the opposite trajectory, shooting a 96 in the opening round before finding her footing with an 84 in Tuesday's finale. Hays' second-round score was also the lowest of any Prairie Wolf on Tuesday, and her ability to bounce back in the final round offered an encouraging sign as the spring season continues to develop.
Sophomore Shea Meridith rounded out the individual results for Nebraska Wesleyan, finishing 45th on the final leaderboard at 197 (+53) after rounds of 97 and 100. Tessa Hurlburt rounded out the Prairie Wolves' lineup, posting rounds of 103 and 99 for a 202 (+58) total, finishing 46th in the field.
THE NEBRASKA WESLEYAN WOMEN:
t-31) O'Brasia Amos, 89-88--177 (+33)
T37) Haley Blackstone, 86-94--180 (+36)
T37) Lauren Hays, 96-84--180 (+36)
45) Shea Meridith, 97-100--197 (+53)
46) Tessa Hurlburt,103-99--202 (+58)
UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan will not have to wait long for another opportunity. The Prairie Wolves return to action April 13-14, when they compete in the Kaitlyn Erickson Doane Invite in Lincoln, Nebraska.
