Michigan State University
Lady Buckeye Invitational
Mandi McConnell Paces Field At Buckeye Invitational
4/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 16, 2005
COLUMBUS, OHIO - Sophomore Mandi McConnell (Grand Blanc, Mich.) sits atop the leader board after the opening day of play at the Buckeye Invitational on Saturday, April 16. McConnell shot a two-round 1-under 145 (71-74) at the par 72, 6,201-yard Scarlet Course on the Ohio State campus.
"Mandi is just a steady player," said head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll. "She hit so many greens and fairways today and really hit her putts."
As a team, Michigan State also sits atop the leader board after recording a 36-hole total of 588 (293-295). The Spartans hold a 15-stroke lead over second-place Iowa (603) and a six-shot lead over third-place Kent State (606). Host Ohio State (607) and Western Michigan (608) round out the top five teams in the 15-team field.
"We had a great 2 ½ weeks of practice and had a great practice round yesterday," said Slobodnik-Stoll. "We just had good vibes and felt really well. This is a great course and is very traditional. I can't think of a better time than right now for our team to be peaking."
McConnell's teammate Rachel Meikle (So., Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Ohio State's Lindsay Knowlton are just one stroke behind McConnell after both players posted a 146 today. Meikle shot an opening-round 72 and followed up with a 74 in the afternoon.
Junior Dayna Burleigh (Horsham, Pa.) is just three shots off the lead with a 148 (72-72). Burleigh is in a three-way tie for sixth. In addition, freshman Sara Brown (Tucson, Ariz.) is tied for 12th with a 150. After shooting an opening-round 78, Brown shot a 72 in the second round.
Rounding out the Spartan line-up is Heather Rose (So., Chillicothe, Ohio) and Kristen Polanski (Fr., Livonia, Mich.). Rose is tied for 20th after shooting a 153 (78-75), while Polanski is tied for 49th with a 161 (82-79).
The final round of the Buckeye Invitational will begin tomorrow (April 17) with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Players Mentioned
