Central fourth in women’s spring break tourney

Central College

BEAUMONT (CALIF.)—Repeating its first-round score, the Central College women’s golf team finished fourth at the SoCal Dutch Invitational Wednesday, played at the Oak Valley Golf Club.

Central shot 371-371—742. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) took the team title with 343-331—674, seven strokes better than the Univ. of Redlands (Calif.). Whitman College (Wash.) was third at 332-354—686 and Occidentral College (Calif.) was fifth at 414-388—802.

Redland’s Tracy Saracino won the individual title carding 78-76—154 and Lauren Buchanan of CMS finished second at 82-79—161.

In her first round of golf since October 2009, Sarah Paulson (junior, Ottumwa) led the Dutch at 91-89—180, finishing 17th. Ali Miller (junior, Davenport, North HS) was 19th at 96-89—185 and Allison Crooks (senior, Moline, Ill.) was two strokes behind for 20th at 91-96—187. Kaurie Kincaid (sophomore, Knoxville) shot 93-98—191 while Kara Stadtlander (sophomore, Manning, IKM-Manning HS) had 98-97—195. Playing as individuals, Christina Lee (sophomore, Huxley, Ballard HS) shot 105-101—206 and Katelyn Paul (freshman, Maquoketa) had 105-102—207.

“We talked after yesterday’s round about not putting a lot of emphasis on the final results,” coach Tim Wilkinson. “The important thing is that we’re playing outside. The other teams have been playing and practicing awhile longer on their own but if we were playing them in mid-season form we’d have been right there.”

The Dutch will have a few more practice sessions outside before returning to Iowa.

“The rest of our time is about having fun, enjoying a round of golf and enjoying each other’s company,” Wilkinson said. “We want to build off the improvement we’ve made so far to get ready for the rest of our tournaments this spring.”

Wilkinson plans to use those sessions as preparation for Central’s next competition, the Bulldog Classic March 26-27 in Kirksville, Mo.