Samantha Richdale and the Illinois State womens golf team finished the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational in seventh place, carding a three round total of 964 (317,319,328). The Redbirds entered round three in sixth place, however, more inclement weather led to tough playing conditions and high scores.
Sophomore Samantha Richdale continued to dominate and shot a 77 in round three to hold off Linda Svensson of Arkansas-Little Rock to claim the individual title. Richdale had a three round total of 223 (72,74,77). Junior Kaila Fuller stepped up her play and finished in a tie for 30th with a 243 (83,77,83). Sophomore Ashlie Rose was next for the Birds in a tie for 37th with a 247 (82,83,82). Freshman Hilary Anderson concluded her first fall season as a Redbird with a 254 (80,85,89), while junior Ashlee Johnson rounded out the team scoring with a 259 (84,89,86) good for 53rd.
Head coach
Ray Kralis feels this invitational finished a successful fall for his team.
The wind really picked up today and we basically played three different courses with the weather being progessively worse, Kralis said. Despite that, I was really impressed with our play and feel that we capped off a great fall season.
The host Kansas State Wildcats took home the team championship for the second straight year with a three round total of 925 (302,312,311). Nebraska finished in second with a 935 (306,313,316), followed by Southern Methodist, Kansas, Arkansas-Little Rock and Michigan. Following the seventh place Birds were Iowa, North Texas, Wichita State, UMKC and Creighton.
Kralis said the experiences this fall were valuable and he is already looking forward to the spring.
From a team standpoint we had a lot of positives this fall, Kralis said. We will look to fine tune things this spring and will expect big things in the future. If we can get Samantha some more help and work as a team, we can look to top a lot of fall successes.
This Illinois State womens golf team resumes play in February at the Lady Moc Invitational in Lakeland, Fla.
