MUSKOGEE – Freshman
Aitana Hernandez paced the RiverHawks to a second place finish after the first round play at the NCAA Central Regional. Northeastern State shot a 302 with Hernandez firing off a 72 and sits in second at the Muskogee Golf Club.
The RiverHawks held the lead for a better part of the day until Arkansas Tech overtook them in the final three pins. The Golden Suns will head into Tuesday's round with a three-stroke lead.
More importantly, NSU is nine strokes ahead of the cutline to the NCAA National Championship, which will be held in Palm Beach, Fla. next week. The top four teams after play advance.
Nina Lee shot the RiverHawks' second lowest score with a 74 and is tied for fourth.
Lexi Armon and
Kelsey Lumpkin both had matching 78s and are tied for 21st.
Ebba Moberg rounded out NSU's group with an 81 and is tied for 40th.
Arkansas Tech's Peerada Piddon is the medalist leader with the lone under-par score, scoring a 70.
Southwestern Oklahoma (305) and Lindenwood (305) rounded out the top-4. Central Oklahoma and Central Missouri are tied for fifth carding a 312.
Due to weather and damp course conditions from recent rains in the area, the tournament will conclude with 36 holes on Tuesday starting with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The RiverHawks are paired with Arkansas Tech and Southwestern Oklahoma.
