WESTON, Fla. (3/1/11) - Led by two players finishing among the top-25 individual leaders, the Arkansas State women's golf team wrapped up play at the Sir Pizza Cards Challenge Tuesday tied for sixth place among 14 teams with a combined 920 that ranks as their second lowest three-round score of the season.
The Red Wolves shot a final-round 312 on the Weston Hills Golf Course, falling two places in the standings after completing the second round tied for fourth. The Red Wolves shot an opening round 309 to end Sunday tied for sixth place as well, but cut 10 strokes off that total Monday to rise two places in the standings. A-State's second-round 299 was not only its 3rd lowest score this season, but also matched the fourth lowest round among all competing teams for the entire tournament.
ASU, which finished ahead of teams such as Miami, South Florida, Cincinnati, Mississippi State and Kansas State, ended the tournament tied with North Carolina State and within seven strokes of fifth-place Kansas. Texas State, which was tied with ASU after two rounds, shot a tournament-best 294 Tuesday to overtake FIU on the final day and claim the tournament title with a 902. The Golden Panthers finished second with a 906, while Memphis claimed third with a 908.
Freshman Courtney Manning and sophomore Anna Carling led ASU, finishing ninth and tied for 21st place, respectively. Manning collected the best finish of her young career, while Carling recorded her fourth top-25 finish of the season.
Manning shot a career-low 70 on the tournament's opening day and followed that up with a 73 Monday, which matched her previous career-best round. Manning was in third place after two rounds, but dropped six places after shooting a final-round 80 that gave her a career-low 223 for the entire tournament.
"I am very proud of this team for their performance against a tough field," said ASU head coach M.J. Desbiens. "Everyone has put forth the effort and their hard work showed on the scoreboard. Obviously, I am really happy for Courtney (Manning) and the way she played. We were very tough mentally all three days, and I think that is why we performed so well."
Carling posted a 76 each of the first two rounds before ending with a 77 Tuesday, bringing her combined score to 229.
Jennifer Welch (83-75-79) and Jennifer Loiacano (80-75-82) both finished tied for 43rd place with a 237, while Aly Seng posted a 243 to end tied for 57th. After shooting an 83 and 84 for the first and second rounds, respectively, Seng finished strong with a career-best 76 for the final 18 holes.
The Red Wolves return to action March 21-22 at the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate, hosted by Georgia State, in Stockbridge, Ga.
ARKANSAS STATE RESULTS
Place, Name (RD1-RD2--TOTAL)
T6, Arkansas State (309-299-312--920)
9, Courtney Manning (70-73-80--223)
T21, Anna Carling (76-76-77--229)
T43, Jennifer Loiacano (80-75-82--237)
T43, Jennifer Welch (83-75-79--237)
T57, Aly Seng (83-84-76--243)
