Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Mountain View Collegiate
Hoosiers Finish First at Mountain View Collegiate
3/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
March 30, 2008
TUCSON, Ariz - Led by individual medalist Lauren Harling and a 4-under round of 68 from Anita Gahir, the Indiana women's golf team carded a 291 in the final round to finish first at the Mountain View Collegiate, giving the Hoosiers their first team tournament victory since the Badger Invitational in 2006.
"It was a challenging course, as the scores showed, but we came out focused and were able to put together three solid rounds," said head coach Clint Wallman. "Any time you win it is a confidence booster, but it is a bonus to have this come right before our home event and the Big Ten Championships."
Indiana finished with a three-round total of 880 (294-295-291), taking the title over second-place San Jose State by nine strokes (889). Texas Tech and Oklahoma finished tied for third at 891, with Missouri rounding out the top five (892).
The Big Ten Golfer of the Week just two weeks ago, Harling continued her steady play over the the three-round tournament to record her first individual victory. After a 1-over 73 in the first round, Harling came back to shoot a 2-under 70 in the second round and closed out play with an even-par 72 to finish with a 216 for the tournament.
"Lauren has played well all along, but now she is doing the little things better," Wallman said. "She put herself in a good position to win this weekend and was able to pull it out."
It is Indiana's second-straight individual win at the Mountain View Collegiate as Elaine Harris took top honors in 2007.
Also placing in the top five was sophomore Laura Nochta. Nochta carded a 4-over 76 on Sunday, but a solid first day with scores of 70 and 73 left her at 219 over 54 holes.
After posting back-to-back rounds of 76 on the first day, Gahir came back to record IU's low round of the season with a 4-under 68 to finish at 220 and in a tie for seventh.
"Anita has been hitting the ball well but she could not get her puts to drop," Wallman said. "Today she converted those puts and had just a phenomenal round."
Kellye Belcher came in at 78 for the final 18 holes, putting her three-round total at 229, good for a tie for 49th. Rounding out the starting five was Harris who got progressively better over the three rounds, closing out with a 75 on Sunday to finish in a tie for 76th at 237.
Junior Amber Lindgren competed as an individual where she tied for 83rd with a score of 239. Her final round on Sunday saw her post an 8-over 80.
The Hoosiers are back in action next Monday and Tuesday as they play host to the IU Invitational at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind.
Players Mentioned
