BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Jessica Parker shot a 73 to rank inside the top ten individually, while Northeastern State tied for fifth with a 312 after the first day of action at the NCAA Central Regional wrapped up at the Hillcrest Country Club under cloudy skies.

"It's a tough course, and it played tough today," head coach Scott Varner said, noting that, "we've got to get after it tomorrow. This just puts pressure on Tuesday being a good day."

Needing to place in the top three as a unit to advance, the RiverHawks are seven strokes back of the cutline, occupied by Rogers State in third with a 305. Southwestern Oklahoma State netted a 298 to lead the field, while Henderson State sits in a close second after one round, recording a 299. 

Parker logged 11 pars and three birdies on the day, pacing all NSU players and providing the second-lowest score from any individual outside of the top three teams, while tying for sixth among all participants. She sits a stroke back from a five-way tie for the lead. 

"I'm really proud of Jess," Varner said, "She's rallied here, as of late. This is who she is, very aggressive and very confident."

Marybeth Bellnap ranks in the top 20 after a 77 on the initial round. Meanwhile, Yasmin Hang added an 80 while Sam Maceli and Ines Diaz carded an 82, respectively.

"We need to have the courage to execute simple things when the pressure's on," Varner added, when discussing the messaging for the rest of the event, "If we get busy now, and start taking care of business, we could be there [in the top three] on Wednesday."

The second round of the three-day event starts tomorrow.