Bears Finish 10th in Spring Opener

 The Missouri State women's golf team finished 10^th in the 19-team pool at the Rio Verde Invitational in Rio Verde, Ariz. The Bears shot 312-303-298—913 and consistently inched their way up the leaderboard after landing in 12^th place after day one. Finishing 24 strokes behind first place Eastern Michigan (300-297-292—889), the top finishers were rounded out by Northern Illinois (893), UMKC (895), Central Arkansas (898), and Wichita State (899).
 
Led by Rachel Johnson after round two and all the way through round three, the sophomore shot par on the day for scores of 80-73-72—225. Johnson jumped up 12 spots in the rankings to move into a four-way tie for 21^st. Verena Gimmy had a strong third day after struggling in round one to shoot 78-77-75—230 on the weekend to finish tied for 42^nd. Also in the five-way tie for 42^nd, Caroline Boone led the team after day one with 74 and after a rough day two came back with a 76 on day three.
 
Ashley Childers went down to Ariz. as an individual and despite firing an 87 in round one, managed to finish tied for 66^th in the 103 person individual standings with a score of 87-73-75—235.
 
The golf Bears are back in action in two weeks at the ORU/SFA Spring Invitational in Trophy Club, Texas.