Van Tassel leads Central women’s squad at Wartburg

Central College

WAVERLY — Central College senior Kelsey Van Tasell (Pella) cracked the top 20 but her squad slipped a notch to eighth at the 17-team Warburg Fall Invitational women’s golf tourney Sunday.

Van Tasell carded an 81-80-161 to place 20th in the 92-player field. Erin Dingmann of St. Thomas (Minn.) took medalist honors with 72-74—146 on the par-72 Centennial Oaks Golf Course.

Central shot 335-342—677 in the 36-hole tourney. Carleton (Minn.) won with 304-300—604, defeating St. Thomas by 11 strokes. Iowa Conference rival Wartburg was fourth at 317-310—627 while Luther was ninth at 340-340—680.

The Dutch were without one of their top golfers, Taylor Hill (senior, Treynor), who is sidelined by illness.

Chelsey Shuey (junior, Ames) shot 83-85—168 with Christine Ausman (freshman, Nevada) at 83-89—172, Rachel Cassens (junior, Stockton, Ill.) at 88-89—177 and Valorie Taylor (freshman, Hartley, HMS HS) at 98-88—186.

“Kelsey shot well but the next three slipped a little,” coach Tim Wilkinson said. “The weather was perfect and it was the same course we played yesterday but it was just one of those days.

“It’s kind of disappointing that we didn’t play better but one of our goals this year was to not count any scores in the 90s and through four rounds this year, we haven’t had to do that yet,” he said.

Central will make its only home appearance Saturday with the Central Invitational at the par-72 Bos Landen Golf Club. St. Mary’s (Neb.), Grinnell and Grand View are expected to join the Dutch for the tourney. Grinnell was at Wartburg and placed 13th at 351-354—705.

“We’ve got a full week to practice this week and we’re playing at home,” Wilkinson said. “I feel like we should have a chance to win.”