OLD HICKORY, Tenn. – Despite blustery winds and occasional rain, Carson-Newman garnered a +23 fourth-place ranking on the leaderboard in the first day of competition at the Trevecca Music City Invitational at the Old Hickory Country Club on Monday.
"I was very pleased with our team score of 311 on a tough day," head coach Suzanne Strudwick said. "I'm overall very pleased with where our team is for the season and heading into our last rounds of the year."
Freshman Jayla Sims was the standout performer for the Eagles, shooting a +4 76 to lead the way for C-N. Her tie for seventh-place standing at the end of the first day marks her best start on the season.
Fellow freshman Matilda Frovenholt was just one stroke behind Sims at Monday's conclusion with a 5-over 77, good enough got a tie at 11th.
The upperclassmen found struggles in their outings.
Sophomore Reagan Kinnie shot a 6+ 78 on the day, putting her at a tie for 18th.
Senior Elizabeth England and junior Taylor Hayes both finished at the 24 spot with 8-over performances for a round of 80.
"I only see improvements tomorrow with Elizabeth, Taylor and Reagan, our upperclassmen, struggling on greens where as our two freshmen adapted well to the different speeds and were our low scores."
The University of Indianapolis led the first day with a +12 round of 300 at Old Hickory. Grand Valley State followed by three strokes at +15. The University of Findlay rounded out the top three with a 310 round, 22-over par.
Grand Valley State's Katie Chipman had the best round on Monday, being the only participant to shoot below par with a 2-under round of 70.
"Familiarity and better playing conditions tomorrow should produce lower scores for the last round," Strudwick mentioned.
The weather at the Old Hickory Country Club on Tuesday is expected to be mostly cloudy with a high around 60-degrees. As for rain, a 10-percent chance is to be expected.
The final round will begin Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. CST with a shotgun start.
