SMSU Spring Invitational (Day 1)

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – Cruising through the first day of the SMSU Spring Invitational, Academy of Art women's golf currently stand in second place out of a 12-team field, finishing the first round with an overall score of 7-over-par 295 (ninth-lowest in program history), just four strokes behind the leaders and No. 6 team in the nation.

"To be within reach of the sixth team in the nation is awesome," said Head Coach Beth Allen. "We came to this event to win and we're going to do our best tomorrow to achieve that. Our team has been putting in the work in practice and getting better at managing themselves on the course every tournament."

Leading the Urban Knights through the first round was freshman Isabella Christy, whose one round total came out as an even-par 72, ranking fourth place out of the 79 competitor field. Just one stroke back and tied for fifth place overall was freshman Jannel Calixterio with her 1-over-par 73, joined by freshman Meri Illamola. The latter of the first-year trio held a 2-over-par 74, taking the third spot on ART U on the day while she ranked in 11th place through the first round of action. Closing out the opening-round team score was sophomore Chantel Tsai, whose 4-over-par 76 was the final to contribute to ART U's day one total. Junior Nicole Yang also put in a quality round, ranking 23rd in the field with her 7-over-par 79.

While No. 6 Grand Valley State lead the tournament overall with a 3-over-par 291, Olivia Stoll of GVSU and Kelsie Inouye of Saint Martin's are ahead of the field individually, shooting a 2-under-par 70 apiece while Shandiin Harper of Western New Mexico and Christy are both two strokes behind.

ART U will compete in the final round tomorrow, looking to climb one spot and maintain their current leads over 10 other schools.