By: Michael Pitts
DEBARY, Fla. – The Kennesaw State women's golf team stacked the top of the leaderboard and stands in first place after two rounds at the Bab Steffens Invitational Monday.
At 19-over 595 through the first two rounds, Kennesaw State led the field by four strokes with the next-closest squad being future Conference USA foe Florida International.
The Owls carded an 8-over 296 in round one and had two players tied for third or better, three tied for sixth or better and six inside the top 23.
In the last 18 the team posted an 11-over 299 scorecard, still with three Owls tied for sixth or better and five inside the top 20.
Lara Jecnik and Cameron Neilson each recorded under-par rounds in day one.
KSU is ahead of four ASUN teams in the field with the closest being Austin Peay in sixth, 21 strokes behind the Black and Gold.
LEADING THE TEAM:
One day removed from her birthday, senior Meva Schmit led the Owls Monday with a 2-over 146 score headlined by a 2-under 70 in round one.
Schmit's 2.63 par-3 scoring average leads the field after day one and her par-4 scoring average is tied for sixth (4.15).
She will enter Tuesday in third place.
SCORECARD:
Jecnik and Neilson follow Schmit with 4-over 148 scores. Each posted a rounds of 1-under 71 and 5-over 77.
Jecnik is tied for third with a 2.88 par-3 scoring average and her 29 pars lead the event. Neilson's seven birdies are tied for the tournament lead.
Individual participant Nyah Kelly finished day one tied for 10th at 6-over 150. Kelly recorded her first-career eagle on hole one in the second round. The freshman was the only player to land an eagle at the event.
Kelly and Neilson lead the field par-5 scoring, each with a 4.63 average.
Bella Kil was next on the scorecard tied for 16th after a 9-over 153 card in the first 36 holes.
Right behind Kil was Tori Owens at 10-over 154 on the day. Owens is also participating as an individual at the event.
Caitlyn Campbell-Nyman ended Monday tied for 39th with a 15-over 159 scorecard. The junior's six birdies are tied for third-most.
GOLF CART NOTES:
>> The Owls lead the field in par-3 scoring average (3.00), par-5 scoring (5.05) and birdies (21).
>> KSU's par-4 scoring is tied for second in the field at 4.32.
>> 115 team pars in the first two rounds is third and only four behind FIU who has the most pars at 119.
NEXT TEE TIME:
The Owls complete round three action at the Bab Steffens Invitational Tuesday, Mar. 28 with an 8:45 a.m. shotgun start.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's golf news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWmnsGolf or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
