NORMAL, Ill. – The third and final round of the Redbird Invitational at Weibring Golf Club concluded Monday, as the Illinois State women's golf team took first place with a team score of 910 (307-304-299), while senior Brianna Cooper sat at the top of the leaderboard, earning individual medalist honors. It was the second time in Cooper's career that she won individual medalist honors at the Redbird Invitational.
In the final round, Cooper used two birdies to shoot par (72) to put her in first place with a total score of 218 (75-71-72). The senior won the individual title by six strokes with sunny and calm weather conditions. Cooper won individual medalist honors to open her freshman season, and she did it again in the first tournament of her senior campaign.
Head coach Darby Sligh proud of her team for staying focused and coming out with a win in its season opener.
"This team showed up to win," Sligh said. "They have worked tirelessly on getting better each day, and it has paid off. Brianna was so solid in all three rounds, and our two freshmen, Kiley (Walsh) and Abby (Luchtenburg), were the glue that held us together down the stretch. I can't explain how excited I am for the future of Redbird golf."
Sophomore Maggie Ambrose, who was competing as an individual, tied for fourth place at the end of the 54-hole tournament. Ambrose had a stellar start to the tournament by shooting 1-over-par 73 in the first round and par (72) in the second round, giving her with a three-round score of 226 (73-72-81).
At the end of their first collegiate tournament, Abby Luchtenburg and Kiley Walsh finished strong and moved up the leaderboard, placing 12th and 20th, respectively. Both Luchtenburg and Walsh finished the tournament with a 3-over-par 75 in the third round. Luchtenburg ended the tournament with a 228 (78-75-75), while Walsh was close behind with a 231 (77-79-75). Seniors Lauren English (234) and Haley Guyton (235) improved in the final round to move up the leaderboard to 28th and 33rd place, respectively.
The Redbirds had two other individuals competing alongside Ambrose. Courtney Cossell end the tournament with a final score of 235 (80-75-80), while Renee Solberg finished the tournament with her best round and carded a three-round score of 235 (83-83-81).
At the end of the tournament, Butler (306-311-305) and Northern Illinois (308-296-318) tied for second place with a team score 922. Ball State (925) and Ohio (926) weren't too far behind coming in fourth and fifth, respectively. Not only did Illinois State top the field of 16, but it also defeated their Missouri Valley Conference rivals Bradley (939), Drake (955), Evansville (979) and Loyola (948).
The first-place finish was the first team title for Illinois State at the Redbird Invitational since 2011.
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