JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Western Illinois women's golfer Kristi Tschudin led the Fighting Leathernecks in the 2014 Butler Invitational, finishing in a tie for 4th-place after carding a 160 (80-80).
As a team, Western finished in fourth as well with a two-round total of 673.
"Despite our poor first round, we came back today and finished with a better score," said head coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen. "We've got some refining to do on our short game and mental toughness. Kristi (Tschudin) had a good tournament with her 'Top 5' finish, and it was great for Julie (Whalen) to finish in the 'Top 10'."
Summit League foe Fort Wayne took home the team crown with a score of 659 (323-336), and the Mastodons' Brenna Sherwood won medalist honors with a 156 (80-76).
Also finishing in the 'Top 10' was Julie Whalen who fired a 165 (81-84), which placed her in a tie for 7th-place.
The remainder of the WIU lineup finished in the 'Top 30', with Anna Cullinan finishing T-23rd with a 173 (93-80), and both Jessica Knepp and Ashley Jeffers finishing T-30th with scores of 179.
Along with the Leathernecks 'Top 5', four other WIU golfers completed competition as individuals.
Allison Farrell finished T-11th with a 169 (79-90), Jessica Schultz carded a 173 (89-84) and finished T-23rd, Marissa Juliana completed the event in 28th with a 177 (88-89), and Abby Ball registered a 185 (86-99) and finished tied for 38th.
"Allison (Farrell) had a really good first round, and will be able to build on that throughout the rest of the spring," continued Lukkarinan. Anna (Cullinan) also had a great day today in the windy conditions. Overall we need to put two good rounds together individually, and things will come together."
WIU takes a week off before heading to Carbendale, Ill. for the Saluki Invitational (Hosted by Southern Illinois) March 30-31.
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