SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – Carson-Newman sophomore Elizabeth England (Oakland, Tenn.) picked up her second season in the Blue and Orange where she ended the her freshman campaign as she is tied for the lead of the Ross Resorts Invitational with a two round total of six-over 149.
The Eagles are tied for eighth at the event after firing their low round of 317 during the afternoon portion of the day.
Reigning first-team All-SAC team member England fired a 73, one shot off her career-low round, during the tournament's second round to propel into a tie for the lead with Rollins's Momo Sakuragi. As a freshman, England picked up a win in the Etowah Intercollegiate.
"I have to say we made an excellent comeback in the second round. We had four scores under 84, which is really good on this traditional Donald Ross championship layout," coach Suzanne Strudwick said. "Mid Pines continues to challenge even the best, so I am pleased with how the team responded this afternoon. Elizbeth continues to be our steadfast anchor with 76-73 and tied for the lead. This is outstanding as this field has the top teams in the nation playing."
Freshman Taylor Hayes (Lake Ozark, Mo.) and senior Meridith Hawkins (Powell, Tenn.) are tied for 32nd with scores of 17-over. Hayes carded rounds of 82 and 81 in her first rounds of collegiate action, while Hawkins opened her senior season with a 78 in the second round.
Sophomores Ashley Kay (Palos Heights, Ill.) and Mikaela Thibodeau (Davie, Fla.) are in 77th and tied for 79th-place, respectively. Kay responded from a first round total of 92 with a card of 84 in the second round. Thibodeau fired rounds of 91 and 87 in her fourth-career tournament.
"Our freshman Taylor Hayes is tied with senior Meridith Hawkins in 32nd-spot going into tomorrow's round, which again is a tremendous start on such an intimidating course. I was also very pleased with Ashley Kay's second round of 84 after a nervous start in the first round," Strudwick said.
Host Rollins leads the team competition by six strokes over Barry. West Florida is in third-place and Nova Southeastern is in fourth-place; Limestone and Lee are tied to round out the top-five.
The third and final round of the Ross Resorts Invitational tees off at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
T8 Carson-Newman 330 317 647
T1 Elizabeth England 76 73 (+6)
T32 Taylor Hayes 82 81 (+17)
T32 Meridith Hawkins 83 78 (+17)
77 Ashley Kay 92 84 (+32)
T79 Mikaela Thibodeau 91 87 (+34)
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