ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Three rounds of the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship are complete and Indianapolis finds themselves in the same position after all three days: in first place. UIndy is looking to go wire-to-wire as the 2015 DII national champion with one day remaining at The Meadows golf course.
Entering Friday’s third round with a 16-stroke advantage, Indianapolis shot a 309, the third-lowest team score of the day. The Greyhounds' three-day tally of 913 (+49) is 11 shots better than second-place Rollins (924, +60) and a dozen better than Lynn (925, +61). Rollins’ team score of 304 and Lynn’s tally of 300 were the only scores lower than Indianapolis’ 309 on Friday.All five UIndy golfers are slotted in the top 35 of the tournament, while a pair of Greyhounds stand in the top five. Chanice Young is in third place in the individual standings with a 225 (+9), carding scores of 76-74-75. Teammate Brooke Beegle is in a two-way tie for fourth place (along with Rollins’ Madison Lellyo, the leader after Day 1) with a 226 (+10). Beegle has been steady throughout with scores of 77-73-76, while Lellyo has put up consecutive 78’s after an opening day 70, the lowest score of the competition.
Young, Beegle, and Lellyo are all chasing after Midwestern State’s Brenna Moore and Lynn’s Samantha Smolen. For the second day in a row, Moore leads the field with a 221 (+5) after firing a 2-over 74 on Friday. With rounds of 74-73-74, Moore ranks second among all players in the tournament with nine birdies and fifth with 35 pars.
Smolen was one of three players to shoot a 73 (+1) on Friday, the lowest score of the third round. After opening with a 77 on Wednesday, Smolen has followed with rounds of 74 and 73, which included four birdies in round three.
Central Oklahoma (934, +70) and Tarleton State (935, +71) are fourth and fifth, respectively, but still within striking distance heading into Saturday’s final round. The average score has been lower by nearly a full stroke each day, setting up what looks to be a terrific final round at The Meadows on Saturday.
