WAYNESVILLE, N.C. – Seniors Diana Carson and Megan Bradfard each fired a 75 in the first round Saturday at the Great Smokies Invitational, and Tennessee Tech is tied for eighth place among a large field of 21 teams to open play in the 54-hole event hosted by Western Carolina.

Elon University and host WCU share the first round lead each with a team total 286 on the 5,922-yard, par 72 Wayneville Golf Course. William & Mary is two shots back in third, followed by Radford (299) and Charleston Southern (300) in the Top Five.

Tech, Western Kentucky and Winthrop are all tied for eighth at 305.

Carson and Bradford flip-flopped their scores on the front and back nines. Carson made the turn at 39 and shot a 36 on the back nine for her 75. Bradford shot 36 up front and 39 on the back. They are tied for 30th place individually.

In 39th place, freshman Amanda Randolph is one shot back with a 76. Junior Lindsay Spradlen fired a 79 and is tied for 70th place, while freshman Katherine Bell is tied for 83rd place with an 80.

The tourney was scheduled for 36 holes Saturday, and the final 18 Sunday.