Whittaker Leads Huskers at NCAA Regional

Megan Whittaker shot an opening-round 72 to lead the Nebraska women's golf team on the first day at the NCAA Raleigh Regional at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course on Monday.

Whittaker, a graduate student from Elkhorn, Neb., produced three birdies to go along with 12 pars while managing three bogeys for an even-par 72 on the 6,324-yard layout at North Carolina State. Her steady performance helped put Nebraska in ninth place with a 296 (+8) in the five-count-four scoring format after the first 18 holes at the 12-team regional.

"We fought hard to bring in a good score today," Nebraska Head Coach Jeanne Sutherland said. "The focus and shot-making were both very good on a tough golf course."

Freshman Kelli Ann Strand rallied from a rough start over her first six holes (+3) to play her final 12 holes at one-under-par with 11 pars and a birdie during the stretch in her first NCAA appearance. Strand (Challis, Idaho) closed the day in a tie for 34th with a 74 (+2), alongside Husker sophomore Miu Takahashi. Like Strand, Takahashi (Nasu-machi, Japan) was three-over through the first six holes but responded with four birdies over the next six holes. Takahashi was even through 14 but settled for a pair of bogeys and two pars over the final four holes of her round.

Lindsey Thiele accounted for Nebraska's fourth and final counting score of the day with a 76 (+4). The junior from Wahoo, Neb., played both the front and back nines at two-over. She enters Tuesday's second round in a tie for 46th in the 66-player field.

Michaela Vavrova completed Nebraska's contingent on Monday with a 78 (+6). The junior from Bojnice, Slovakia opened the day on No. 10 and was six-over-par on the back nine before responding with an even-par 36 on the front nine. Nebraska's five-player lineup completed the back nine at +12, while playing the front at +2.

The hosts from North Carolina State jumped to the lead after the first round with a 282 (-6). No. 14 Florida State sits one shot back at 283 (-5), while No. 11 Arizona State is hot on FSU's heels at 284 (-4). Arizona heads to the second round in fourth at 286 (-2), while Purdue sits in fifth at 287 (-1).

The top five teams in each of the six NCAA regionals will advance to the 30-team NCAA Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club (May 19-24) in Scottsdale, Ariz. Tuesday's second round of the NCAA Raleigh Regional begins at 7 a.m. (CT) with live scoring from GolfStat.com.

NCAA Raleigh Regional
Host: North Carolina State
Lonnie Poole GC (Par 72, 6,324 Yards)
May 8-10, 2023

Team Results (First Round)
1. #46 North Carolina State - 282 (-6)
2. #14 Florida State - 283 (-5)
3. #11 Arizona State - 284 (-4)
4. #26 Arizona - 286 (-2)
5. #50 Purdue - 287 (-1)
6. #21 Florida - 290 (+2)
T7. #2 Wake Forest - 292 (+4)
T7. #38 TCU - 292 (+4)
9. Nebraska - 296 (+8)
10. Campbell - 297 (+9)
11. #35 North Texas - 308 (+20)
12. Richmond - 310 (+22)

Individual Results (First Round)
T1. Lauren Olivares, North Carolina State - 67 (-5)
T1. Lottie Woad, Florida State - 67 (-5)
T3. Isabel Amezcua, North Carolina State - 69 (-3)
T3. Dorota Zalewska, Chattanooga - 69 (-3)
T5. Charlotte Heath, Florida State - 70 (-2)
T5. Kan Bunnabodee, Purdue - 70 (-2)
T5. Paula Schulz-Hannsen, Arizona State - 70 (-2)
T5. Pimmada Wongthanavimok, Arizona - 70 (-2)
T9. Marina Escobar Domingo, Florida - 71 (-1)
T9. Ashley Menne, Arizona State - 71 (-1)
T9. Ashley Kozlowski, Purdue - 71 (-1)
T9. Isabella Hahne, Campbell - 71 (-1)
T9. Grace Summerhays, Arizona State - 71 (-1)
T9. Lilas Pinthier, Arizona - 71 (-1)
T9. Maisie Filler, Florida - 71 (-1)
T9. Sheridan Clancy, TCU - 71 (-1)
T9. Mallory Forbes, UNC Wilmington - 71 (-1)
T9. Sarah Kahn, High Point - 71 (-1)

Nebraska Individuals (First Round)
T19. Megan Whittaker - 72 (E)
T34. Kelli Ann Strand - 74 (+2)
T34. Miu Takahashi - 74 (+2)
T46. Lindsey Thiele - 76 (+4)
T55. Michaela Vavrova - 78 (+6)