AUSTIN, Texas - Kansas State sophomore Helene Robert was not pleased with her first and second rounds at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational, but her 2-over 74 Sunday made up for what was lacking early. Robert improved from a tie for 47th after the second day to finish tied for 28th as the Wildcats improved one position to finish 14th overall.

While Robert had a good third round, hitting the ball well, the rest of the team continued to struggle, according to head coach Kristi Knight. Senior Sarah Heffel and her sister sophomore Katy Heffel were in a position to put up improved scores in the third round, Knight said.

“Sarah and Katy had some good shots early,” Knight explained. “But they had a couple of three-putts that really hurt them.”

Freshman Kali Quick, leading the team with a 77.2 stroke average on the season, regressed from her improved second-round scores to finish in a tie for 59th.

“Kali had a tough day,” Knight said. “She had a nice start for the first four or five holes, but then she had a couple bad swings and got in some bad places. Things just snowballed from there.”

Duke won the tournament with a combined 914, while Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State and Texas improved to finish second and third in the team standings. Arkansas’ Stacy Lewis stayed in the individual lead, taking the title with a combined 224.

The tournament, played at the University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, gave a preview of the Big 12 Tournament course for the ten Big 12 teams competing. Knight said she appreciates getting an early look at the course, but knows the Wildcats have a lot of work to do over the next three tournaments.

“We need to finish strong,” she said. “We need to be better with our iron play and we need to hole a few more putts.”

The Wildcats continue play at the Mountain View Collegiate March 26-27 in Tucson, Ariz. For complete coverage of the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational and the Wildcat women’s golf team, please visit Kansas State’s website at www.kstatesports.com.

Team Scores: 1. Duke 307-307-300--914 2. Oklahoma State 310-306-299--915 3. Texas 313-308-303--924 4. Arizona State 315-308-303--926 5. Arkansas 309-302-306--327 6. TCU 324-307-307--938 7. Missouri 325-310-313--948 8. Tulsa 311-321-319--951 9. Texas A&M 312-326-314--952 10. New Mexico State 325-317-312--954 11. SMU 325-323-309--957 12. Baylor 323-323-322--968 13. Nebraska 302-334-333--969 14. Kansas State 322-328-322--972 15. Oklahoma 327-326-320--973 16. Kansas 329-330-319--978 17. Texas Tech 325-324-334--983

Top Individuals: 1. Stacy Lewis, Arkansas 74-73-77--224 T2. Anna Grzebien, Duke 75-77-74--226 T2. Catherine Matranga, TCU 76-75-75--226 T2. Mallorie Underwood, Oklahoma State 76-80-70--226 T5. Camille Blackerby, TCU 79-71-77--227 T5. Annie Thurman-Young, Oklahoma State 76-76-75--227

Wildcat Individuals: T28. Helene Robert 81-80-74--235 T59. Kali Quick 83-76-86--245 T59. Sarah Heffel 79-85-81--245 T66. Katy Heffel 79-87-81--247 T94. Hailey Mireles 85-87-88--260 *T50. Michelle Regan (as an individual) 79-82-81--242

K-StateSports Women's Golf

Printer-friendly format	Email this article