Strand, Takahashi Take Top 20 Finishes

Kelli Ann Strand and Miu Takahashi tied for 18th individually to lead the Nebraska women's golf team to a ninth-place finish in a strong 16-team field at the Briar's Creek Invitational in Johns Island, S.C., on Tuesday.

Strand, a freshman from Challis, Idaho, closed with a three-round total of 218 (+2), including a second-round 70 on the 6,152-yard, par-72 of The Golf Club at Briar's Creek. Takahashi, a sophomore from Nasu-Machi, Japan, matched Strand's 54-hole total with a 218 of her own that included a 71 (-1) in Monday's second round. 

Graduate student Megan Whittaker (Elkhorn, Neb.) added a solid tournament with a tie for 29th at 221 (+5), while junior Lindsey Thiele (Wahoo, Neb.) contributed a tie for 41st with a 224 (+8) in the 90-player field.

The No. 36 Huskers put together an opening-round 294 (+6) on Monday, before rallying for a second-round 287 (-1) to end the first day of the tournament at 581 (+5) in seventh. Nebraska was hoping to make a charge up the team standings on Tuesday, but the Huskers settled for a final-round 299 (+11) to slip to ninth.

"We didn't have the magic this week," Nebraska Head Coach Jeanne Sutherland said. "We didn't drive the ball well, but I was pleased with a lot of things. The team focused well and did their best in each round. We're putting better on Bermuda greens, and our short games looked good. We get to compete again this week, so it will be good to get right back out there."

No. 30 SMU held off UCF for the team title, as the Mustangs finished three rounds at 851 (-13). No. 20 UCF, which was the top-ranked team in the tournament, finished three strokes back at 854 (-10), while No. 35 Maryland finished in third at 867 (+3). 

SMU's Michelle Zhang and North Carolina State's Lauren Olivares shared medalist honors with 54-hole totals of 210 (-6). Mackenzie Lee (SMU), Jess Baker (UCF) and Crystal Wang (Illinois) tied for third just one shot back of the leaders at 211 (-5).

Nebraska will make a quick turnaround, heading to Arizona to compete in the Mountain View Collegiate in Tucson. The three-day tournament tees off on Friday, March 17 and runs through Sunday, March 19. 

Briar's Creek Invitational
March 13-14, 2023
Johns Island, S.C.
The Golf Club at Briar's Creek (Par 72, 6,152 Yards)

Final Team Results
1. SMU (30) - 285-278-288=851 (-13)
2. UCF (20) - 283-277-294=854 (-10)
3. Maryland (35) - 285-287-295=867 (+3)
T4. North Carolina State (48) - 293-289-291=873 (+9)
T4. Penn State - 289-288-296=873 (+9)
6. Illinois - 283-286-305=874 (+10)
7. College of Charleston (42) - 284-292-301=877 (+13)
8. Campbell - 288-294-296=878 (+14)
9. Nebraska (36) - 294-287-299=880 (+16)
10. Iowa - 295-292-304=891 (+27)
T11. Rutgers - 297-297-303=897 (+33)
T11. Boston College - 302-297-298=897 (+33)
T11. Old Dominion - 298-296-303=897 (+33)
14. North Florida - 302-291-309=902 (+38)
15. East Carolina - 296-308-309=913 (+49)
16. Miami - 305-308-307=920 (+56)

Final Individual Results
T1. Lauren Olivares, North Carolina State - 68-71-71=210 (-6)
T1. Michelle Zhang, SMU - 70-70-70=210 (-6)
T3. Jess Baker, UCF - 69-69-73=211 (-5)
T3. Mackenzie Lee, SMU - 69-69-73=211 (-5)
T3. Crystal Wang, Illinois - 67-69-76=211 (-5)
6. Patricie Mackova, Maryland - 72-73-67=212 (-4)
T7. Anna Nordfors, UCF - 72-67-74=213 (-3)
T7. Ellie Szeryk, SMU - 70-69-74=213 (-3)
9. Victoria Hund, College of Charleston - 71-71-73=215 (-1)
T10. Sara Byrne, Miami - 74-71-71=216 (E)
T10. Christin Eisenbeiss, North Florida - 68-72-76=216 (E) 
T10. Paula Miranda, Iowa - 71-72-73=216 (E)
T10. Tunrada Piddon, UCF - 72-69-75=216 (E)
T10. Pimpisa Sisutham, UCF - 72-72-72=216 (E)

Nebraska Individuals
T18. Kelli Ann Strand - 74-70-74=218 (+2)
T18. Miu Takahashi - 72-71-75=218 (+2)
T29. Megan Whittaker - 75-72-74=221 (+5)
T41. Lindsey Thiele - 73-75-76=224 (+8)
*T75. Andrea Velez - 75-78-81=234 (+18)
T79. Michaela Vavrova - 77-74-84=235 (+19)
*competed as an individual outside Nebraska's lineup