Jayhawks Finish Fifth at Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational

Sept. 27, 2011

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Final Player Results Get Acrobat Reader

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A young Jayhawk squad led Kansas to a fifth place finish on the final day of the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kan., Tuesday. Kansas fired rounds of 307-301-313 for a 921 to secure its position in the top five throughout the two-day event.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t finish up as well as I would have liked today,” Head coach Erin O’Neil said. “Although, we did see improvement in certain areas of each players games which is encouraging. We are a young group right now and the most important thing for us to do is to learn from our mistakes, continue to work hard, and get better each day.”

Even though the Jayhawks didn’t finish as well as Coach O’Neil had hoped, she sees great potential in the young team.

“This is by far the best ball-striking team we have ever had,” Coach O’Neil said. “We need to continue to work on our short games and course management through out the year.”

Sophomore Thanuttra Boonraksasat led the way for the Jayhawks as she tied for fourth after shooting rounds of 74-74-73 for a score of 221.

Coach O’Neil was very pleased with Boonraksasat’s performance this week.

“I am very proud of Fhong for finishing T4th,” Coach O’Neil said. “She stepped up to lead us with three solid rounds on a difficult golf course and could have shot even lower if a few more putts would have fallen for her.”

University of Arkansas-Little Rock claimed top team honors edging out runner-up Kansas State by 14 strokes. Missouri State finished in third, just two strokes behind the Wildcats. Individual medalist Malin Lundberg powered UALR with a one-over-par 217, while Kansas State’s Gianna Misenhelter finished in second with a two-over 218.

Freshmen Nadia Luttner dropped a stroke from the first day and finished tied for 22nd with a three-day total of 232 while Gabriella DiMarco tied for 24th with a 233.

Freshman Michelle Woods finished in a tie for 43rd after carding a 240 (79-78-83). Senior Katy Nugent rounded out the Jayhawk field, just one stroke behind her teammate, after dropping a few strokes on the third day for a total score of 241 (83-73-85).

Two Jayhawks played as individuals as sophomore Meghan Potee tied for 24th at 233, and junior Audrey Yowell tied for 38th at 237.

“We have a quick turn around before heading to Missouri so we will spend the majority of our time working on putting and short game,” Coach O’Neil said. “Old Hawthorne is a good test and we are looking forward to competing there next week.”

Kansas will return to action at the Johnie Imes Invitational at Columbia, Mo. Oct. 3-4.

Team Results

1. Arkansas-Little Rock 292-298-301–891

2. Kansas State 300-299-306–905

3. Missouri State 299-305-303–907

4. Oral Roberts 306-305-300–911

5. Kansas 307-301-313–921


Individual Results

1. Malin Lundberg, UALR 70-70-77–217

2. Gianna Misenhelter, Kansas State 71-72-75–218

3. Crystal Reeves, Oral Roberts 76-74-69–219

T4. Kelsey Welber, Missouri State 75-72-74–221

T4. T. Boonraksasat 74-74-73–221

Other Kansas Individuals

T22. Nadia Luttner 77-77-78–232

T24. Gabriella DiMarco 77-77-79–233

T24. Meghan Potee (Ind.) 76-82-75–233

T38. Audrey Yowell (Ind.) 82-78-77–237

T43. Michelle Woods 79-78-83–240

T46. Katy Nugent 83-73-85–241