WAVERLY, Iowa – The Carleton women’s golf team remained in sixth following the second day of the Wartburg Spring Invitational on Saturday at Prairie Links Golf and Event Center. The Knights put up a 29-over par 317 in Saturday’s final round for a two-round total of 617 (+41).
Illinois Wesleyan came from one shot back to win the team event with a two-day sum of 587 (+11). The Titans, ranked 10th in the latest national poll, led captured the crown in a field that included five of the top six teams ranked in the top 30 nationally.
Junior Carter Sichol was the top finisher for the Knights. Sichol was one of three Knights to card a seven-over-par 79 on Saturday. She paired her 79 with a three-under 69 yesterday for a two-day total of 148 (+4) to earn her a tie for sixth place on the individual leaderboard. The Winnetka, Ill., native opened Saturday’s round with a bogey on hole seven due to a shotgun start. She went on to birdie the par-four 11th and was even-par through her first nine holes. But a tough stretch of five holes, which she played five-over par proved to be the difference in the final round 79.
Cynthia Lu and Sarah Zheng also shot a final round 79 (+7) on Saturday. Lu’s round opened four-over-par through the first five holes. She played strong through the middle of the round and finished just three-over through the final 15 holes for her closing 79. Her two-round total of 155 (+11) placed her in a tie for 23rd in the individual standing. Zheng struggled to start, opening the round seven-over through the first six holes, but persevered through the tough start to play the remaining 12 holes even par and climb 13 spots to a tie for 35th in the individual standings.
Senior Olivia Siebert and first-year Anna Lee rounded out the Carleton starting lineup with an 80 and 83, respectively in Saturday’s final round. Siebert was consistent throughout, never playing a five-hole stretch in more than two-over on her way the an eight-over-par 80. Lee’s round was highlighted by a birdie on the par-five 15th hole on her way to the 83 (+11).
Sophomore Mindy Zhai and junior Natalie Tatar fired an 81 and 82, respectively competing as individuals in the tournament. After carding a career-best two-under 70 yesterday, Zhai posted a nine-over 81 on Saturday. The Winter Garden, Fla., native was three over through her first nine holes before finishing the tournament with 151 strokes and tied for 14th on the individual leaderboard. Tatar shot a 10-over-par 82 to total 158 and place her tied for 31st.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will travel to Normal, Ill., next weekend to take part in the two-day Kathy Niepagen Spring Fling, hosted by Illinois Wesleyan. That tournament is set for Saturday and Sunday competition.