KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

TAMPA, FLA.  – Indiana State senior Breanne Smith became the first Sycamore women’s golfer to claim an individual title posting a two-round total of 153 to bring home the title. That win also propelled Indiana State into a tie for second at the NIU Snowbird Intercollegiate that concluded today in Tampa, Fla.

The tournament was played at the par-71, 5,962 yard Pebble Creek Golf and Country Club in Tampa, Fla.

“Let me start by congratulating Breanne on her victory,” Mike Whitson, Indiana State golf coach, said. “It is quite an accomplishment to win a college event and it is something that she will treasure. It also is a huge step for Indiana State golf to now have an individual win to go with our two team victories.”

Smith fired a 76 on the opening day Wednesday and entered Thursday’s round in fourth place. The Sycamore senior fired a 77 today to finish in first with a 153 total which was two strokes better than runner-up Samantha Formeck of Youngstown State who finished at 155. It was Smith’s 16th top 10 finish, sixth time in the top five, and her first championship.

Freshman Emily Dixon had her first top 10 finish as a Sycamore as she fired a two-day total of 158 to tie for fourth.

The Sycamores entered the second day of competition in fourth place after posting a 326 total in the first round. Indiana State improved their play in the second round despite less than ideal conditions, posting a 324 total to finish at 650. Methodist University led after the opening round and was able to hold off the Indiana State charge on the second day to win the team title with a 645 total. Youngstown State, who was second after the first day, tied Indiana State for second at 650.

“Team wise it is hard to say how we played,” Whitson said. “It sounds silly, but the condition today was so bad with all the rain that it was really just survival. I am happy with the way we climbed the leader board to finish second. Our poor first round just put us into a bit of a jam. We will get to work and get ready for a really good field at Southern Illinois in two weeks.”

Host Northern Illinois University finished fourth at 667 with Eastern Illinois fifth (669), Western New Mexico sixth (670), Loyola seventh (672), Creighton eighth (692), Western Illinois ninth (704), St. Francis of Illinois 10th (732), Trine University 11th (805), and Baldwin-Wallace 12th (850).

Senior Mackenzie Mack finished in a tie for 19th for Indiana State with a two-day total of 167 while sophomore Astrid Parsson tied for 28th at 172, and junior Britney Martin was 30th at 173. Competing as individuals for the Sycamores was freshman Christina Beyerl who tied for 22nd with a 168 total along with senior Kelsea Ice and junior Diana Price who both shot 185 to finished tied for 49th.

The Sycamores have a 45-17-2 overall mark but are 17-1-0 in the spring season. Indiana State will compete in the Saluki Invitational which will be played March 28 and 29 in Carbondale, Ill.