WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Junior Caitlin Sims carded a 7-over-par 79 in Tuesday's third and final round of William & Mary's Kingsmill Intercollegiate to finish in seventh place on the individual leaderboard after battling tough weather conditions at the par-72, 6,025-yard Kingsmill Resort River Course.
As a team, Illinois State finished the tournament in fifth place after recording a 320 on Tuesday. The Redbirds finished with a three-round total of 932 (308-304-320). Akron held their second round lead to top the 15-team field with a 911 (302-298-311), six strokes ahead of second place St. John's.
Sims was one of two student-athletes who played the par-3s at a tournament low even par. The junior also produced six birdies over the three rounds. Sims concluded the event at 228 (77-72-79). Senior Kiley Walsh fired Tuesday's low round for the Redbirds with a 5-over-par 77. Walsh's three-round total of 230 (77-76-77) earned her a tie for 10th place. The senior played the par-3s at a tournament low 3-under-par.
Sophomore Paige Seiser shot an 81 in the final round, she finished the event at 239 (78-80-81). Senior Abby Luchtenburg carded a three-round total of 244 (76-85-83), shooting an 83 in the final round. Rounding out the scoring for the Redbirds was sophomore Morgan Savage, who produced a three-round total of 249 (78-76-95).
"Well, we survived,'" said head Darby Sligh. "In my nearly 15 years of coaching I can only think of maybe six other days that compare to the difficulty of today with the temperature, wind and rain. We have been working on diffusing perfectionism all year and today's conditions were the perfect exercise for this team to practice what we have been working so hard to conquer--to let go of fear, trust, and execute with confidence, no matter the conditions or circumstance. Kiley and Caitlin anchoring us this week is exactly what we need in this last part of the spring and we were able to match our best team finish of the season. I'm excited about the direction we are heading."
Up Next
The Redbirds will compete in the Butler Women's Spring Invitational, April 2-3, in Indianapolis.
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