Indiana Finishes Sixth at IU Invitational

Tuesday, April 7

Columbus, Ind.

All Day

Indiana University

IU Invitational

4/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf

April 7, 2009

IU Invitational Results - Final Round

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Top-25 finishes from Anita Gahir and Laura Nochta, combined with solid third-round play from the entire lineup propelled Indiana to a sixth-place finish at the IU Invitational Tuesday afternoon at the Otter Creek Golf Club in Columbus, Ind.

UNLV took home both the team and individual title, tallying a three-round total of 931 (317-209-305). The Rebels' Natasha Krishna was the individual medalist, shooting rounds of 75-74-76 in less than favorable conditions. Iowa State took second (323-310-311=944), followed by Texas (323-312-313=948), Michigan (332-303-317=952) and Wisconsin (320-318-317=956).

The Hoosiers were just three shots out of fifth with a score of 959 (320-318-321).

"The course conditions were challenging but I thought we hung in there and found a way to grind it out," said head coach Clint Wallman. "You always want to do better at your home event, but I think this is great practice for our final two events of the regular season.

" I also think Otter Creek did a fantastic job with this event, considering the weather conditions they had to deal with. I think golfers will be pleased when they come back here for the NCAA Central Regional in 2010."

Gahir posted the low round of the day by one shot, tallying a 78 in the cold, windy conditions, and finished with a 234 (80-76-78). After posting bogeys on her first two holes, she pared three of the next four. Double bogeys on 10 and 12 did not deter the junior as she went one under over the final nine holes.

"Anita's game continues to come around," Wallman said. "I look for her to have a solid finish to the regular season."

Nochta was just one shot behind on Tuesday with a 79 and placed tied for 18th at 239 (78-82-79). She recorded pars on 10 of the 18 holes and added a birdie on 14. Cecilia Orevik tied for 35th with a tally of 244 (83-79-82). Her best stretch came on holes 15-18 when she went one under. Orevik also recorded a birdie on two.

Kellye Belcher tied for 41st after posting an 85 on Tuesday (80-81-85=246). Rounding out the starting five for IU was Amber Lindgren, who tied for 46th with a 247 (82-83-82). Lindgren had eight pars, along with a birdie on two.

Indiana also had three players compete as individuals, with sophomore Lauren Giesecke finishing tied for 32nd with scores of 84-79-80 (243). Giesecke had two birdies in the third round (holes eight and 16), along with eight pars. Sarah Poppas went 273 over the three rounds (96-88-89), while Emily Habbel shot a 275 competing in her first collegiate tournament (94-90-91).

The Hoosiers will compete in their final tournament of the regular season, April 18-19 at Lady Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio. The Big Ten Championships are set for April 24-26 in West Lafayette, Ind.