Meridith Hawkins post-round interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman's women's golf team did something that only one other team in C-N history had done when it took to the links for the second round of its home tournament – the Smokey Mountain Intercollegiate.
To earn the six spot on the Carson-Newman Athletics New Year's Countdown, the Lady Eagles fired just the second sub-300 round in school history.
Carson-Newman's Meridith Hawkins (Powell, Tenn.) ripped a 71 (-1) to shoot to fourth on the leaderboards at the Smokey Mountain Intercollegiate and earn herself a spot on the SMI All-Tournament team on the final day at the invitational.
Hawkins was one of a slew of Eagles who upped their play on the second day of the tournament. Carson-Newman sliced 21 strokes from day one to day two to finish at 299 for the day – the second sub-300 round in school history.
Only a 295 at the Elite Linen Service Invitational in 2009 outranks the Eagles' round. The 299 is tied for the sixth lowest round in SAC women's golf history.
Every Eagle that hit the course improved their games by three strokes for the second round.
Hawkins was one of the one's that jumped three strokes.
Hawkins birdied 13 and 14 back-to-back. Chelsea Passmore (Knoxville, Tenn.) eagled 13 to set the Eagles off right. Passmore had the biggest jump of the day, going from an 85 to a 74 (+2) for a two-day 159 and in a tie for 37th.
Lauren Hodge came into the clubhouse with a 76 (+4) in a tie for 26. Mary Tunnell ended day two with a 78 to close with a 159 and a tie for 37 with Passmore.
Carson-Newman was the top-finishing South Atlantic Conference team in the tournament.
The Carson-Newman Athletics New Year's Countdown continues Friday with moment five.
Check cneagles.com, @cnathletics on Twitter and facebook.com/cneagles each day to find out what ranks where.
We'll reveal a moment every day with the top moment being revealed New Year's Eve.
Carson-Newman athletic administrators, coaches, assistants and trainers contributed to the rankings.
No. 1 - ??? revealed 12-31
No. 2 - ??? revealed 12-30
No. 3 - ??? revealed 12-29
No. 4 - ??? revealed 12-28
No. 5 - ??? revealed 12-27
No. 6 – C-N women's golf tears up the Highlands Course at the SMI
No. 7 – Gabby Gianeselli's Golden Goal at LMU
No. 8 – Kim-Moss' final round at the McDonough Cup
No. 9 – Burstrom busts for 27 as C-N snaps streak at L-R
No. 10 - C-N swimming wins its first event
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