By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
PORT CLINTON, Ohio – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team saved its best for last at the Rocket Classic, jumping up a spot on the leaderboard following the final round of action at the Catawba Island Club in Port Clinton, Ohio.
The purple and gold rounded out its third event of the season ranked seventh among the 10-team field, jumping past Detroit Mercy by firing the second-lowest round of the day. The Golden Eagles carded a 298 on Tuesday, totaling 938 for the week. Ohio replaced host Toledo at the top of the leaderboard, winning the event with a 906 and final round of 295. The Bobcats' Mackenzie McRee took home individual medalist honors behind a 221.
Junior Kaydi Rhodes led the Tech effort for the week, tying for 18th among 59 golfers with a two-day total of 230. The veteran splashed in four birdies on her way to a 76 on Tuesday. Competing as an individual, rookie Kailey Lane ended her second career event tied for 27th with a 234, including a final round of 82.
Just one shot back was Chloe Griffith, delivering her lowest score of the tournament with a round of 73 and three birdies. The sophomore tied for 30th overall with a total of 231. Tying for 33rd following a two-birdie round of 74 was junior Sydney Branson. She matched her top career score for 54 holes set at the team's last tournament, posting a 237.
Senior Reagan Stuke concluded the week with a third round of 75, carding a pair of birdies along the way. She placed 35th overall with a score of 238. Rounding out the Golden Eagle lineup with three birdies and a 76 on Tuesday was Cookeville native Lexus Julian. The sophomore tied for 36th, just one shot back of Stuke with a 239.
Next on the docket for the Golden Eagles is the Diamante Intercollegiate presented by Simmons Bank, a three-day event from Sunday, Oct. 20 through Tuesday, Oct. 22. Hosted by Little Rock, the tournament will take place at the Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs, Ark.
| Top 5 Teams: | ||||||
| 1. | Ohio | 309-302-295=906 | +42 | |||
| 2. | Akron | 309-296-304=909 | +45 | |||
| 3. | Toledo | 297-394-309=910 | +46 | |||
| 4. | Purdue Fort Wayne | 308-303-304=915 | +51 | |||
| 5. | Central Michigan | 303-308-308=919 | +55 | |||
| 7. | Tennessee Tech | 319-321-298=938 | +74 | |||
| Leaderboard (59 Golfers) | ||||||
| 1. | Mackenzie McRee (Ohio) | 76-72-73=221 | +5 | |||
| T-18. | Kaydi Rhodes | 76-78-76=230 | +14 | |||
| T-27. | Kailey Lane (I) | 75-77-82=234 | +18 | |||
| T-30. | Chloe Griffith | 82-80-73=235 | +19 | |||
| T-33. | Sydney Branson | 82-81-74=237 | +21 | |||
| 35. | Reagan Stuke | 80-83-75=238 | +22 | |||
| T-36. | Lexus Julian | 81-82-76=239 | +23 | |||
File photo by Michael Wade