The beginning of October proved to be bittersweet for the ISU women’s golf team as the Redbirds competed in the Johnie Imes Invitational in Akron, Ohio earlier this week.

The ‘Birds, who came back strong in the third round after a slow start during the first day, came in at 12th place out of 15 teams.

“Everyone fought the entire day and showed an immense amount of heart,” ISU Head Coach Darby Sligh said. “Miller, Jean and Cooper proved to be our foundation and I’m looking for that to continue.”

The 15 teams headed onto the golf course at The Club at Old Hawthorne early Monday morning to begin the first round of play. The ‘Birds collectively shot a 32-over-par 320, their worst round of the tournament.

Junior Hannah Bachman led the team in the first round by stroking a six-over-par 78. Following her, by a solitary stroke, was senior Terra Miller with a seven-over-par 79. And rounding things out for the team was freshman Jordyn Wyzgowski, who carded a nine-over-par 81.

At the end of the round, the University of Oklahoma sat at the top of the hill with a four-over-par 292. Individually, Princeton University freshman Kelly Shon led the rankings, scoring a two-under-par 70.

“We really shot ourselves in the foot after the morning round,” Sligh said. “It’s extremely hard to compete in a field this strong while firing a 320 in the morning round.”

The tournament continued on with the second round picking up right where the first left off.  

The ‘Birds greatly improved from round one by 18 strokes, firing off  a 14-over-par 302, and ending the day in 13th place

This time around it was freshman Brianna Cooper who headed the team by hitting a one-under-par 71, leaving with a 9-over-par 153 (82-71) to tie for 38th place.

Following Cooper were sophomore Katie Jean and Wyzgowski, each with a four-over-par 76, seating them in 69th and tied for 55th respectively.

 As competition concluded on day one of play, it was Oklahoma State University who won the round with a two-under-par 286, and managed to slide into first place. Shon managed to hold onto her lead, carding another two-under-par 70, giving her a four-under-par 140.

“I’m proud of the way we fought back and made adjustments,” Sligh said. “The underclassmen stepped up for us in the afternoon, which was much needed.”

 The third and final round picked up the next day on Tuesday, and the Redbirds were able to climb the ranks, ending the tournament in 12th place, with an overall score 58-over-par 922 (320-302-300).  And for the round, the golfers fired off a 12-over-par 300, their best of the tournament.

Finishing things out for the ‘Birds was Jean, who lead her team in the third round with a one-over-par 73.

Jean was followed by Miller, who fired off a two-over-par 74, and just a single stroke behind was Cooper who shot a three-over-par 75.

 Overall though, it was Cooper who led ISU, carding 12-over-par 228 (82-71-75), moving her up seven spots, leaving her tied for 31st place.

Jean finished in 50th place after scoring a 17-over-par 233 (84-76-73) and following close behind were Miller and Wyzgowski, who both tied for 55th place with a 19-over-par 235.

Overall, Oklahoma State was able to hold onto first place and pull out a victory with a one-under-par 863 (293-286-284). Colorado and Oklahoma both followed in second, carding 14-over-par 878 (298-289-291).

Individually, Victoria Park (72-75-65), who shot a tournament high of seven-under-par 65 in the third round, and Courtney McKim (73-68-71) of Oklahoma State tied for first, both stroking a four-under-par 212. Following in third place was Ellen Mueller of Oklahoma who scored a three-under-par 213 (73-71-69)

“We have two weeks off to rest and prepare for the last tournament of the season,” Sligh said. “I am extremely proud of the way they finished this week.”

The Redbirds will head out once again on Oct. 25, for the Edwin Watts/Palmetto Intercollegiate tournament in Kiawah Island, SC.