MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois did not look back after being in first place after round one of the WIU Invitational.
The Fighting Leathernecks carded a 315 as a team to finish with a two-day total of 621. That was five strokes better than IUPUI, who finished second with a 626. Tara Peterman matched her 74 from Sunday with another 74 on Monday. She closed out the tournament with 148, which was two strokes better than IUPUI's Jordan Essman's 150 (74, 76).
This is Peterman's first individual tournament win. She set a new career-low with her round one 74 and matched that today to take home the title.
"I'm really thrilled for our team and for Tara to get the
individual win as well. She's been a very consistent player for us and
this is a great way to start the season," said head coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen.
"I'm really happy to pick up my first career win as a senior," said Peterman. "It's a big
confidence boost to start the season like that and a great feeling for
us to defend our home course for the third year in a row. The win today
really shows us why we work so hard in practice to improve. Everyone on
the team worked really hard and it showed on the
leaderboard."
Lindsay Wandrey finished third as she notched a 155 (74, 81). Emily Brink wrapped up play with a 157 (77, 80) to finish in sixth place for the event. Freshman Kristi Tschudin carded a 161 (81, 80) to tie for seventh. Claire Gursh finished the two day event with a 168 (82, 86).
"IUPUI played really well and had some great rounds," continued
Lukkarinen. "It's huge for us to get a win like that
over a quality conference opponent. This is a very
good start for us, we played pretty well all around as a team. We've got
some work to do on the short game and that's what we'll focus on
improving as we move forward."
The Fighting Leathernecks will hit the road and travel to Edwardsville, Ill. to compete in the SIU-E Doubletree Invitational on Sept. 27-28.
Team Standings
1. Western Illinois Purple - (306,315)=621
2. IUPUI - (311,315)=626
3. Eastern Illinois - (340,335)=675
4. SIU-Edwardsville - (338,344)=682
5. Western Illinois Gold - (341,345)=686
6. Illinois-Springfield - (343,361)=704
7. Quincy - (376,343)=719
8. Olivet Nazarene - (390,366)=756
Individual Standings
1. Tara Peterman - (74,74) = 148
T3. Lindsay Wandrey - (74,81) = 155
6. Emily Brink - (77,80) = 157
T7. Kristi Tschudin - (81,80) = 161
T12. Claire Gursh - (82,86) = 168
T14. Alexa Arent - (84,85) -169
16. Jaleesa Burton - (84,85) = 170
T19. Nerissa Hetzel - (85,87) = 172
T25. Samantha Hainline - (89,88) = 177
27. Kristen Palmer - (87,91) = 178
