GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman sophomore Elizabeth England (Oakland, Tenn.) is tied for the lead of the 19th-annual Agnes McAmis Memorial hosted by Tusculum with a four-over 76 during Monday's first round at Link Hills Country Club in Greeneville, Tenn.
The Eagles are in fifth-place in the team competition and trail the leaders, Lincoln Memorial, by 13 strokes heading into Tuesday's final round.
"It was a great team effort today in very difficult conditions. High winds and very fast greens made for an extremely tough playing environment and the condition of Link Hills Country Club does not help," coach Suzanne Strudwick said. "The fairways are still dormant with almost unfair conditions. The team kept a strong, competitive attitude all day. I'm hoping we can keep it going tomorrow."
England's four-over 76 is her best round since a three-over 75 during the final round of the SAC Preview, which concluded the fall season for C-N. The sophomore's previous best round of the spring was a 77 at both the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate and Lady Moc Classic. England is tied with Elizabeth Swallow of King (Tenn.) and Tusculum's Ciara Rattana for the tournament lead.
Senior Meridith Hawkins (Powell, Tenn.) is tied for ninth after carding a seven-over 79. The duo of Hawkins and England makes the Eagles one of three schools that have multiple players in the top-10 of the event.
Junior Jessica Hart (Roanoke, Va.) is tied for 33rd with a 12-over 84, while freshman Taylor Hayes is a stroke behind her teammate at 13-over 85, which pits Hayes in a tie for 41st.
Senior Kelli Pemberton (Knoxville, Tenn.) rounded the Carson-Newman team with a 14-over 86 and is tied for 50th. Freshman Summer Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) leads the two individuals with a 17-over 89 and is tied for 57th; sophomore Mikaela Thibodeau (Davie, Fla.) is tied for 75th with a round of 21-over 93.
The Railisplitters shot a combined score of 311 and lead King and host Tusculum by nine shots; Newberry is fourth and C-N rounds out the top-five. England, Swallow and Rattana lead Newberry's Taylor Lance and LMU's Danielle Burrell by a single stroke; Lance and Burrell are tied for fourth and round out the top-five.
The Eagles will complete the final round of the Agnes McAmis Memorial on Tuesday at Link Hills Country Club.
5 Carson-Newman 324
T1 Elizabeth England 76
T9 Meridith Hawkins 79
T33 Jessica Hart 84
T41 Taylor Hayes 85
T50 Kelli Pemberton 86
T57 Summer Smith 89
T75 Mikaela Thibodeau 93
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