AUSTIN, Texas - The Kansas State women’s golf team struggled during the first round of the Big 12 Championship. The Wildcats carded a 320 for the first 18 holes. Leading the board is Oklahoma State with a first-day score of 295.

K-State had particular difficulty on the back nine, as it notched six double-bogeys and one triple-bogey. Altogether, the team only had two birdies on the back nine and five overall.

“Big numbers add up,” head coach Kristi Knight said. “We had a good start, but we just didn’t finish.”

Sophomore Katy Heffel is the most steady player on the day as she parred 12 holes for a 78. Freshman Kali Quick and sophomore Helene Robert, who have battled all season for the team-leading stroke average, had some good holes but struggled coming in. Quick carded only three pars on the back nine, while Robert recorded five.

Individually, Allison Rella of Colorado and Oklahoma State’s Annie Thurman-Young are tied for first with an opening-round score of 70. Only Rella, Thurman-Young and Oklahoma State’s Karin Sjodin shot below par.

K-State shot 32-over Friday, three strokes behind Iowa State. Seven teams are within six strokes of each other, making the next 36 holes crucial to the final standings.

“We know we can do better,” Knight said. “Our intent is to improve everyday. Every day is a new tournament for us.”

The Wildcats continue play at the Big 12 Championships in Austin, Texas, with 18 holes both Saturday and Sunday. For complete coverage of the Championships, please visit Kansas State’s website at www.kstatesports.com or the conference website at www.big12sports.com.

Team Scores: 1. Oklahoma State 295 2. Texas 297 T3. Baylor 305; Texas Tech 305; Nebraska 305 6. Missouri 306 7. Colorado 307 8. Texas A&M 310 9. Kansas 311 10. Oklahoma 314 11. Iowa State 317 12. Kansas State 320

Top Individuals: T1. Allison Rella, Colorado 70; Annie Thurman-Young, Oklahoma State 70 3. Karin Sjodin, Oklahoma State 71 T4. Lisa Ferrero, Texas 73; Kim Kolb, Texas Tech 73; Chelsey Pryor, Kansas 73

Wildcat Individuals: T26. Katy Heffel 78 T36. Helene Robert 79 T47. Sarah Heffel 81 T52. Kali Quick 82 59. Michelle Regan 86

-KSU-

K-StateSports Women's Golf

Printer-friendly format	Email this article