The Missouri State women's golf team kicked off the Spring season in Rio Verde, Ariz. In the Rio Verde Invitational Friday afternoon. The Bears are currently tied at seventh with former Valley foe Wichita State, each team shooting 313 in the opening round of the three day tournament. The 17-team field is led by Little Rock (305) with Akron (306), Seton Hall (307), Eastern Michigan (308), and Bradley (310) round out the top five.
Leading the Bears in the individual scoring, junior Rachel Johnson is tied for 15^th after firing off 76 in round one. Nine others were in the mix at 15th, including Ryan Pate competing as an individual. A day one total of 76 marks a tie for season low for the sophomore. Senior Verena Gimmy carded a 78 on day one followed closely by Stine Pettersen with 79 and Ashley Childers had 80. Freshman Niamh Lendrum rounds out the lineup after shooting 88 in her second tournament.
With just 8 points separating Missouri State from the leader, the Bears will look to rounds two and three on Saturday and Sunday respectively to climb higher in the standings.