COLUMBIA, Mo. (10/1/18) – The Arkansas State women's golf team began play Monday at the 11th annual Johnie Imes Invitational, shooting a first-round 300 at The Club at Old Hawthorne to place it ninth among 13 teams.

The Red Wolves' 300 was their third lowest single-round score this season and placed them at least six strokes ahead of Little Rock, Northern Illinois, UMKC and Bradley.  A-State also trails Wichita State by just two strokes and is within 10 of fourth-place Mercer.

Missouri, which has won its home tournament the last four seasons, currently leads the field with a 282, while Florida Gulf Coast stands second with a 286 and Florida International third with a 287.

Senior Beth Ann Compton led the Red Wolves on the day with a season-best 73, placing her tied for 16th among the 74-player field.  Junior Grayson Gladden and freshman Madison Smith, who is playing in her first collegiate event, are both just two strokes behind Compton and tied for 30th place.

The three-day Johnie Imes Invitational continues tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. with the second round.